A case of excess growth hormone levels

Int J Clin Pract Suppl. 2005 Apr:(147):34-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2005.00309.x.

Abstract

Patients with anorexia nervosa are known to have elevated basal growth hormone levels, which fail to suppress normally during glucose tolerance testing. We describe a case of probable anorexia nervosa initially diagnosed as acromegaly despite a low insulin-like growth factor-1 level and treated with transsphenoidal surgery based on a pituitary microadenoma on magnetic resonance imaging and a lack of suppression of growth hormone levels during glucose tolerance testing. This case highlights, firstly, that pituitary magnetic resonance imaging will suggest a pituitary adenoma in up to 10% of normal individuals. Secondly, that a diagnosis of acromegaly should be made on clinical features as well as growth hormone measurements.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acromegaly / diagnosis*
  • Adenoma / diagnosis
  • Adult
  • Amenorrhea / etiology
  • Anorexia Nervosa / complications
  • Anorexia Nervosa / diagnosis*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Glucose Tolerance Test
  • Human Growth Hormone / blood*
  • Humans
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / analysis
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / diagnosis

Substances

  • Human Growth Hormone
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I