title: Evaluation of the endocrine functions in dystrophia myotonica.
abstract: Investigation of several endocrine functions was performed in seven patients with dystrophia myotonica (DM). All patients had hyperinsulinemia. Whereas the four female patients had normal pituitary-gonadal function, all three male patients presented evidence of a primary gonadal failure. Thyroid function was normal in all patients. Four patients displayed abnormal diurnal variations of cortisol secretion. Basal prolactin levels were elevated in three patients, one of whom also had consistently elevated levels of growth hormone. The investigation adds some new evidence of neuroendocrine dysfunction at the hypothalamic level in DM.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D000328:Adult; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006066:Gonads / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000503:physiopathology; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007980:Levodopa; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009223:Myotonic Dystrophy / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D007980:Levodopa; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013006:Growth Hormone; D013974:Thyroxine; D006854:Hydrocortisone