Hypothalamic-Pituitary Function in Anorexia Nervosa

Noradrenaline, trijodthyronine, growth hormone and prolactin during weight gain inanorexia nervosa

“…1). This is in agreement with observations by Garfinkel et al (1975), who observed increased HGH values only in patients whose caloric intake was rather low and not in those who had started eating reasonable amounts (2,000-4,OOO kcal) although they were still greatly underweight. Since the caloric intake was not recorded at the time of our first study, we do not know whether the seven patients with normal HGH values did eat more than the six patients with elevated HGH levels.…”

“…1). This observation confirms earlier data reported by Garfinkel, Brown, Stancer, and Moldofsky (1975), Frankel and Jenkins (1975), Brown, Garfinkel, Jeunwiewic, Moldofsky, and Stancer (1977), Caspar, Davis, and Pandey (1977) and Rapaport, Prevot, and Czernichow (1978).…”

Disturbances of sex hormones in anorexia nervosa in the male

“…This patient's low gonadotrophin and testosterone levels during the acute phase of the illness, and the return of his gonadotrophin levels to normal in 0032-5473/81/0400-0254 $02,00 ( parallel with weight gain, are in keeping with previous reports (Bell et al, 1966;Beaumont et al, 1972;Garfinkel et al, 1975). These findings suggest that the disturbances in sex hormones are, in part at least, due to malnutrition (Ismail and Harkness, 1966), rather than being a primary disturbance, as in females with anorexia nervosa, where the hormonal disturbance is often not reversed for months or even years after weight gain (Crisp et al, 1973).…”

Anorexia nervosa in the male: A review of clinical, epidemiological and biological findings

“…McNab and Hawton (1981) have described a 27-year-old male AN patient in whom sex hormone levels were recorded during the course of his illness and for several months after recovery. The subject's low gonadotrophin and testosterone levels during the acute phase of the illness, and the return of his gonadotrophin levels to normal in con-junction with weight gain, are consistent with previous reports (Bell et al 1966;Beumont et al, 1972;Garfinkel et al, 1975). Such findings imply that the sex hormone disturbances are, at least in part, due to malnutrition (Ismail & Harkness, 1966) rather than a primary disturbance as has been proposed to be the case in females with AN, where the hormonal disturbance is often not reversed for months or even years after weight gain (Crisp et al, 1973).…”