EFFECT OF WEIGHT REDUCTION, TRIIODOTHYRONINE, AND DIETHYLSTILBESTROL ON GROWTH HORMONE IN OBESITY

Plasma growth hormone levels in 23 grossly obese patients were measured in response to insulin-hypoglycemia and arginine infusion. Initially diminished responses to both stimuli were increased after weight reduction. Prior treatment with triiodothyronine increased the growth hormone response to arginine to a greater extent than weight loss alone. However, triiodothyronine did not affect the rise of insulin or glucose following arginine. In six patients studied, stilbestrol failed to augment the growth hormone response to arginine in three obese women, or to insulin in another three. © 1969.