Hypothalamic and anterior pituitary hormone related disorders

Question 1

Corticotropins

Answer 1

Tetracosactide (tetracosactrin), an analogue of corticotropin (ACTH) is used to test adrenocortical function. Failure of the plasma cortisol concentration to rise after administration of Tetracosactide indicates adrenocortical insuffiency.

Question 2

Gonadotropins

Answer 2

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH) together, FSH alone (as in follitropin) or chorionic gonadotrophin are used in the treatment of infertility in women with hypopituitarism or who have not responded to clomifene citrate, or for assisted conception (e.g. in-vitro fertilisation).

Question 3

Gonadorelin analogues are indicated in

Answer 3

endometriosis and infertility and in breast + prostate cancer

Question 4

Growth hormone

Answer 4

Growth hormone is used to treat deficiency of the hormone in children and adults. In children it can be used for various syndromes, chronic renal insuffiency and short children considered small for gestational age at birth.

• Examples include Somatotrophin which has been replaced by somatropin.
• Mecasermin, a human insulin-like growth factor-I is licensed to treat growth failure in children and adolescents with sever primary insulin-like growth factor deficiency.