A “Pubertal” 24-Hour Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Secretory Pattern Following Weight Loss in the Absence of Anorexia Nervosa

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Abstract
A 32 yr old woman with no evidence of anorexia nervosa lost 20 lb following a self-imposed diet and developed secondary amenorrhea. On 2 separate occasions, 24 h palsma sampling at 20 min intervals with monitoring of nocturnal sleep revealed a pubertal pattern of luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion, i.e., sleep-related enhancement of LH. After she regained 15 lb, the pubertal pattern reverted to that typical of adults in which there is no significant difference in LH secretion between average sleep and waking values. One month following the last study, normal menses began. Weight loss, or the metabolic factors associated with nutritional changes in the absence of anorexia nervosa, may be associated with amenorrhea and reversion to the pubertal pattern of LH secretion, which can return to normal following weight gain.