Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol 40, 601-611, Copyright © 1975 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

The significance of weight loss in the evaluation of pituitary response to LH-RH in women with secondary amenorrhea

MP Warren, R Jewelewicz, I Dyrenfurth, R Ans, S Khalaf and RL Vande Wiele

Sixteen women with amenorrhea occurring in the setting of severe self- imposed weight loss and 18 women with secondary amenorrhea due to other causes were given LH-RH (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone). Women with weight loss were found to be unresponsive to LH-RH when severely underweight. FSH responsiveness returned in a linear fashion as weight gain occurred and was not related to estrogen levels. LH responsiveness also returned with weight gain although the relationship was not linear but exponential and a sudden increase in responsiveness occurred at 15% below ideal weight. No relationship to estrogen levels could be found. Women who experienced amenorrhea in a setting other than weight loss did not demonstrate responsiveness to LH-RH which could be correlated with body mass, even when underweight. Women who experienced amenorrhea with weight loss had a consistently lower LH response to LH-RH than the second group and their LH response was always lower than the FSH response. On the other hand, a variety of patterns was found in women with amenorrhea due to other causes.

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