BASAL AND TRH‐STIMULATED PROLACTIN IN PATIENTS WITH PITUITARY TUMOURS

Abstract

The diagnostic value of the assessment of prolactin (PRL) secretion in reaction to thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) was investigated in 24 patients who had all radiological signs of a pituitary tumor and symptoms of hypogonadism and/or galactorrhea. In these patients a PRL response to TRH can be present or absent, independent of the size of the tumor and/or the presence of suprasellar extension of the tumor. The measurement of several basal plasma PRL concentrations and lateral tomography of the sella turcica seem to be a good screening for the existence of a prolactin producing pituitary adenoma, and no important additional information is obtained by a TRH-test.