PITUITARY-FUNCTION IN SHEEHANS SYNDROME

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 63  (1) , 15-19
Abstract
The responses of plasma prolactin, FSH, luteinizing hormone (LH) and TSH were measured in 10 women with Sheehan''s syndrome after i.v. administration of the appropriate releasing hormones. Growth hormone and cortisol responses to insulin-induced hypoglycemia were also measured. Two patients were biochemically borderline euthyroid and 8 were probably hypothyroid in the face of TSH values in the reference range; in 2 patients TSH response to TRH was appropriate. In no patient were the minimum prolactin levels achieved in response to TRH as established in reference subjects. Growth hormone response to hypoglycemia was inadequate in all patients and only 1 patient achieved reference range values of cortisol during hypoglycemia. In 6 patients fasting LH and FSH were in the reference range and the response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone was adequate and appropriate in 8 patients. Prolactin response to TRH administration would be a reliable and simple screening procedure for suspected Sheehan''s syndrome.

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