Dr. Richard Quinton School of Clinical Medical Sciences, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. NE2 4HH.
Tel (0191) 2824635. Email: Richard.Quinton@ncl.ac.uk.
Please read this information sheet carefully, so that you can decide whether or not you wish to help in this research study. There is no obligation to participate and your care will not be affected in any way, whatever you decide.
Why are we asking for your help?
The exact causes of your hormonal condition are not known at the moment (see: www.Kallmanns.org). However there is some evidence that one form of the condition is caused by genetic factors. This study will look for abnormalities in other genetic factors to identify any differences between samples from IHH people and people without this problem. This should lead to a better understanding of what causes your condition.
What will
I be asked to do?
Dr. Richard Quinton, or another member of the research team, will arrange to meet you at a convenient place. This is likely to be in the outpatients clinic, or at your own home if that is more convenient. We will take brief details of your medical history and current treatments. Then a blood sample of about 20 mls will be taken to be used in the research. Overall this should take about 15 minutes of your time. If other members of your family have similar problems, then we may ask, if both you and they are agreeable, for a similar blood sample from them. These blood samples will not be used for anything other than this study, and all the samples will be studied anonymously.
Will the information that comes from this research be helpful to me?
The information that comes from your particular blood samples is unlikely to be of any direct help to yourself. It is only the results of analysing samples from many people like yourself that will lead to a better understanding the reason people develop IHH. All the information about you and your blood sample will be confidential. If you wish, we will inform your GP that you have given a blood sample.
Please contact Dr Richard Quinton if your want any further information at the above telephone number or address. He can be contacted there most days and if you leave a message he is happy to ring you back or to discuss any further points or questions you might have.
Thank
you for taking the time to read this
sheet.