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Study of Somatotropic and Gonadotropic Pituitary Function in Idiopathic Haemochromatosis (31 Cases)
Author(s) -
Simon M.,
Franchimont P.,
Murie N.,
Ferrand B.,
Cauwenberge H.,
Bourel M.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
european journal of clinical investigation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.164
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1365-2362
pISSN - 0014-2972
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2362.1972.tb00666.x
Subject(s) - somatotropic cell , hormone , medicine , endocrinology , luteinizing hormone , endocrine system , gonadotropic cell , peripheral , pituitary hormones , growth hormone
A study of the endocrine syndrome in idiopathic haemochromatosis based essentially on the radioimmunoassay of three pituitary hormones was performed in 31 male patients. The mean levels of growth hormone, follicle‐stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone are rather high as compared with normal subjects. Hypoglycaemic stimulation, if sufficient, produces a good response in terms of growth hormone release. The values of all three hormones show a great deal of scatter, with a majority of normal values, some low values and a number of high or very high values. The authors reject the classical pathophysiologic hypothesis of a constant primary pituitary disturbance. The endocrinopathy may be both central and peripheral, with the peripheral disturbance occurring first or being predominant. In the latter case, the pituitary would either respond vigorously to the abolition of feedback or, in the case of pituitary lesions, present only a limited response.