PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - H Frisch
AU  - K Herkner
AU  - E Schober
AU  - W Stögmann
AU  - F Waldhauser
AU  - M Weissel
TI  - Prolactin and thyrotrophin response to thyrotrophin-releasing hormone in growth hormone deficiency.
AID  - 10.1136/adc.57.10.769
DP  - 1982 Oct 01
TA  - Archives of Disease in Childhood
PG  - 769--773
VI  - 57
IP  - 10
4099  - http://adc.bmj.com/content/57/10/769.short
4100  - http://adc.bmj.com/content/57/10/769.full
SO  - Arch Dis Child1982 Oct 01; 57
AB  - Basal and thyroid-releasing hormone-stimulated (200 micrograms/m2) prolactin and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were measured in 31 patients with hypopituitarism (13 isolated growth-hormone deficiencies and 18 multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies). The results were compared with the prolactin response in 76 healthy prepubertal children. Normal prolactin concentrations were found in 13 patients whereas 11 had increased levels. TSH levels were either normal or increased in patients who were considered to have hypothalamic disorders. Decreased prolactin response was present in 7 children, 6 of whom had multiple pituitary deficiencies. Their TSH response was decreased as well, indicating pituitary failure. There was good overall correlation of peak prolactin with peak, TSH concentrations. Some patients with 'isolated' growth hormone deficiency had an abnormal prolactin response indicating an additional hormonal deficiency. All patients with low levels of serum thyroxine had abnormal prolactin or TSH levels, high in some, low in others. Two euthyroid patients with increased prolactin stimulation became hypothyroid during treatment with growth hormones, thus questioning whether prolactin is a more sensitive indicator of early thyroid insufficiency than thyroxine or TSH levels.