TSH Response to Synthetic Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone in Human Protein-Calorie Malnutrition

Abstract

In 8 of 24 children with proteincalorie malnutrition, basal serum immunoreactive thyrotropin (TSH) is elevated, and the TSH response to synthetic thyrotropin-releasing hormone, while prompt, is exaggerated and sustained, showing a delayed peak in 8 of 19 tests. After 3 weeks of treatment, basal TSH in most cases drops towards normal, peak TSH responses are lower (yet remain exaggerated in 4 instances), but the sustained TSH secretion returns to normal in all patients. In all of 5 cases tested, exogenous triiodothyronine suppresses basal TSH. This suggests a minor impairment of thyroid function in some children with protein-calorie malnutrition. TSH reserve, however, appears normal.