LHRH Responsiveness in Anorexia Nervosa: Intactness Despite Prepubertal Circadian LH Pattern

Abstract

Women with primary anorexia nervosa (6) who underwent 24 h endocrine studies all had immature [prepubertal or pubertal] patterns of circadian luteinizing hormone [LH] secretion. This abnormality was present despite negligible wt deficit [but active symptomatology] in 3 of the women. Regardless of the extent of immaturity of circadian pattern, each woman showed a completely normal release of LH in response to the single i.v. administration of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone [LHRH]. The intactness of pituitary function and the possibility of a functional hypothalamic disturbance in anorexia nervosa were demonstrated. The discrepant finding in certain other studies of inadequate LH response to LHRH in women with anorexia nervosa was reviewed, and the potential influences of differing variables in these studies and the possibility of a heterogeneous illness were emphasized.