Pituitary function tests in the elderly: are hypothalamic releasing factors the investigation of choice?
The use of the new hypothalamic releasing factors corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) and growth hormone releasing factor (GHRH) has been proposed as a potential replacement for the insulin stress test in the investigation of pituitary function. The response to the injection of 100 micrograms of each compound was studied in nine elderly in-patient subjects. In response to GHRH, only four subjects demonstrated a rise in growth hormone; in response to CRF, only one subject showed a rise in cortisol. In the patients studied the combined GHRH and CRF test did not cause any cortisol or GH response in the majority.
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood; D013007:Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010901:Pituitary Function Tests
D013006:Growth Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013007:Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone