DOSE-RESPONSE EFFECT OF DEPOT LEUPROLIDE ACETATE ON SERUM ANDROGENS IN HIRSUTE WOMEN

Objective: To determine the dose of leuprolide acetate (LA) needed to maximally suppress serum androgens in hirsute women. Design: Prospecti ve, dose-escalation study. Setting: Outpatient endocrinology clinic. P atients: Eight hyperandrogenic women with moderate to severe hirsutism . Interventions: A LA dose-response study was done in women receiving depot LA plus estrogen-progestin replacement. Main Outcome Measures: S erum concentrations of T, androstenedione (A), and basal and GnRH-stim ulated LH. Results: The lowest LA dose (3.75 mg/mo) suppressed serum T by 62% +/- 6% and A by 56% +/- 7%. No further decrease in serum andro gens was seen with doses up to 15 mg/mo. Maximal suppression of basal and stimulated LH was also seen with the lowest dose of LA. Conclusion s: As opposed to results previously published in children with precoci ous puberty, the 3.75 mg dose of depot LA is sufficient to maximally s uppress serum androgens in hyperandrogenic women.