Observations of gonadotrophic and ovarian hormone activity during recovery from anorexia nervosa

Abstract

Summary: Serum gonadotrophins and gonadal steroids were measured in six unmarried female patients with anorexia nervosa before and during treatment by feeding and psychotherapy, which led to restoration of weight to matched population mean levels. In three patients whose premorbid weight was normal, hormonal levels during treatment were initially low, but as weight was regained gonadotrophic levels increased and one patient showed cyclical activity. In three other patients who were premorbidly obese gonodotrophic levels did not appear to increase over the period of investigation. With the exception of one patient whose menstrual cycles were resumed during the period of investigation, gonadal steroid levels in general appeared to remain low although, subsequently, regular monthly menstrual bleeding occurred in some of these patients.