EFFECT OF THYROTROPHIN-RELEASING HORMONE ON SERUM LEVELS OF PITUITARY HORMONES IN MEN AND WOMEN

Abstract
The rapid iv administration of 0.5 mg of synthetic thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) increased the serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration in 20 normal subjects from baseline levels of 2.0 ± 0.5 ng/ml (sem) to peak values of 6.0 ± 0.7 ng/ml (sem) in women and 4.5 ± 0.5 ng/ml (sem) in men. The maximal increase occurred 30 min after TRH. The serum growth hormone (HGH) concentrations increased from baseline levels of 2.6± 1.0 ng/ml (sem) to peak values of 7.8± 1.3 ng/ml (sem) in women. In men there was no rise in the serum HGH concentrations. The serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and folliclestimulating hormone (FSH) did not change significantly. In patients with hyperthyroidism the serum TSH concentrations did not change following TRH. Patients with primary hypothyroidism showed an exaggerated and prolonged increase in serum TSH concentrations after TRH administration. A routine TRH-stimulation test is proposed.

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