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Impaired GH secretion to provocative stimuli in two families with hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia
Author(s) -
Cecconi Elisabetta,
Bogazzi Fausto,
Cetani Filomena,
Grasso Lucia,
Marcocci Claudio,
Genovesi Maura,
Procopio Massimo,
Gasperi Maurizio,
Pinchera Aldo,
Ghigo Ezio,
Martino Enio
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
clinical endocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1365-2265
pISSN - 0300-0664
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2265.2003.01891.x
Subject(s) - medicine , endocrinology , basal (medicine) , hypercalcaemia , stimulation , calcium , insulin
Summary objective To determine whether hypercalcemia per se might be responsible for an impairment in GH secretion. design Prospective study. patients Six subjects of two unrelated families with familial hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia (FHH), an autosomal dominant disorder due to inactivating mutations in the calcium receptor gene, leading to an increase in serum calcium levels and inappropriately normal serum PTH concentrations. Forty normal subjects, matched for sex and age served as controls. measurements Serum GH concentrations were measured after GHRH‐Arginine (GHRH‐Arg) stimulation test; serum IGF‐I, ACTH, cortisol, FT4, FT3, TSH, PRL, LH, FSH levels were measured under basal conditions. results All subjects (two male, four female, age range 24–74 years) had increased serum ionized calcium levels (range 1·36–1·56 mmol/l) and five of six patients had normal PTH levels (range for all patients was 14–68 ng/l). Basal serum GH concentrations ranged from 0·1 to 7·0 µg/l. Mean serum GH secretory peak after GHRH‐Arg stimulation test was reduced in five subjects (mean 9·3 ± 3·6 µg/l, P < 0·006 vs. Controls, mean 67·0 ± 44·0 µg/l, cut‐off, 16·0 µg/l) and normal in one subject (38·7 µg/l). However, serum IGF‐I levels were reduced only in two patients (29 and 57 µg/l) and normal in four subjects (range 127–208 µg/l). The basal secretion of the other anterior pituitary hormones was within their normal ranges. conclusions The results of the present study support the concept that elevated serum calcium levels impair GH secretion. However, the clinical relevance of GH deficiency in FHH remains to be elucidated.