Opioid-induced endocrinopathy (OIE) is a complication of chronic opioid treatment.[1][2][3] It is a common name for all hypothalamo-pituitary axis disorders, which can be observed mostly after long term use of opioids, both as a treatment and as a substance of abuse.[1]
The effect of opioids on hormonal levels can be measured immediately after the application of the opioid.[1] The onset of deficit mostly comes after longer time of use of high doses, but sometimes coexisting factor like cancer disease,[4][5] pain disease or other medicines may accelerate the progress.[1]
^Colameco, Stephen; Coren, Joshua S. (January 2009). "Opioid-induced endocrinopathy". The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. 109 (1): 20–25. ISSN1945-1997. PMID19193821.
^Rhodin, Annica; Stridsberg, Mats; Gordh, Torsten (June 2010). "Opioid Endocrinopathy: A Clinical Problem in Patients With Chronic Pain and Long-term Oral Opioid Treatment". The Clinical Journal of Pain. 26 (5): 374–380. doi:10.1097/AJP.0b013e3181d1059d. ISSN0749-8047. PMID20473043. S2CID30105241.