title: Glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit in pituitary adenomas.
abstract: Elevated serum glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit (alpha-subunit) levels are seen in about one of six patients bearing pituitary adenomas. This finding has particular clinical significance in patients with nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas. Moreover, the measurement of alpha-subunit along with the calculation of the molar ratio between alpha-subunit and TSH, LH, or FSH is helpful in the diagnosis of glycoprotein hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas. Since serum alpha-subunit levels may vary greatly in several physiologic and pathologic conditions, care has to be taken to differentiate abnormal from normal states of alpha-subunit hypersecretion as well as to exclude causes of alpha-subunit overproduction only casually associated with the presence of pituitary tumors.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Endocrine Sciences, University of Milan, Ospedale Maggiore IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Beck-Peccoz
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Persani
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Faglia