ALTERED GROWTH-HORMONE (GH) SECRETION IN WOMEN GAINING WEIGHT DURING HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY (HRT)

Objectives: The relationship between GH response to GHRH-stimulation a nd changes in body weight in pre- and postmenopausal women before as w ell as after 4 and 20-22 weeks of oral HRT was tested. Methods: 18 pos tmenopausal women (FSH > 30 mU/ml) were compared to 18 premenopausal w omen suffering from post-pill amenorrhoea (FSH < 10 mU/ml). Both patie nt-groups reported an anamnestic increase in body weight during former use of sex hormones. Tn addition 18 postmenopausal women without anam nestic weight change were studied. Results: A significant reduction in GH response to GHRH stimulation was observed during the first month o f HRT in both groups gaining weight. However, the body mass index of t he patients reverted to pretherapeutic levels after 5 months of HRT. I n all patients, a small but statistically significant increase in IGF- 1 levels was registered during HRT. These changes in GH stimulation te sting and IGF-1 levels were accompanied by distinct changes in body we ight. No alterations in GHRH response were observed in those patients whose body weight did not increase. Conclusions: Our results confirm t hat in predisposed women, HRT is associated with increments in body we ight as well as with changes in the GH-IGF-1 axis.