Thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test in patients with pituitary pathology.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the value of the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation test in the diagnostic work-up of the thyroid function in patients with pituitary pathology.


METHODS
To compare the thyrotropin (TSH) response and the absolute and fold changes after TRH administration in 35 patients with pituitary pathology and 26 normal subjects.


RESULTS
Nine of the patients and 2 of the normal subjects had a pathological response. No difference in the thyrotropic response to TRH was found either for the actual values, or for the absolute or fold changes of TSH between the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The role of the TRH test in the evaluation of thyroid function in patients with pituitary pathology is modest. The best variables for evaluation of the presence of central hypothyroidism are still a free thyroxine estimate combined with an inappropriately low TSH.
Hartoft-Nielsen
Marie-Louise
ML
Department of Endocrinology, Rigshospitalet, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. mhartoft@rh.dk
Lange
Martin
M
Rasmussen
Ase Krogh
AK
Scherer
Susanne
S
Zimmermann-Belsing
Tina
T
Feldt-Rasmussen
Ulla
U
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010900:Pituitary Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000473:pathology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood; D014285:Triiodothyronine, Reverse / Q000097:blood
D014284:Triiodothyronine; D014285:Triiodothyronine, Reverse; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013974:Thyroxine