Endocrine status in patients with mammary gland diseases: correlation between steroid hormones and sex steroid binding globulin

We have studied 131 women affected by benign or malignant breast disease, in order to explore their endocrine status. We evaluated basal concentrations of the following hormones: FSH, LH, PRL, estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), androstenedione (A), DHEAS and SHBG. Basal hormone levels in these patients were not significantly different from those in normal age-matched subjects. However, in premenopausal women, 31% of patients with benign disease and 34.4% with malignant lumps exhibited an elevated FSH/LH ratio (greater than 1) and lower T levels, compared to those having a normal FSH/LH ratio. The difference in T levels was not coupled with the expected specular variations in SHBG levels. Moreover, in none of the group considered, T concentrations or E2/T were significantly correlated with SHBG levels. These data seem to suggest an altered regulation of SHBG in these patients, in whom the modulation of SHBG by circulating sexual steroids appears to be different when compared with normal subjects.