The prolactin and growth hormone responses to arginine in anorexia nervosa

Abstract

Plasma levels of prolactin and their response to arginine or to thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH) were measured in 14 females with primary anorexia nervosa when they were 60.0–78.4% of the ideal body weight (IBW) (group 1) and in 7 patients during or after weight gain, 80.2–105.1% of IBW (group 2). Basal prolactin concentrations were well within the normal range in all anorectic patients. Prolactin response to arginine was markedly impaired or absent in all anorectic patients in group 1 and was partially restored in 5 out of the patients in group 2. Direct stimulation of the pituitary with TRH, however, produced prolactin release in all anorectic patients studied. Plasma GH response to arginine was impaired in only one patient each in groups 1 and 2. These findings indicate that the hypothalamic function in anorectic patients is altered.