ISOLATED COMBINED GROWTH-HORMONE AND GONADOTROPIN-DEFICIENCY DUE TO HYPOTHALAMIC DYSFUNCTION, ASSOCIATED WITH INSULIN-RESISTANCE

A 47-year-old woman was evaluated for congenital dwarfism, primary amenorrhoea due to hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism, severe hyperlipidaemia with pancreatitis, and overt diabetes mellitus associated with severe insulin resistance requiring 2.5-3 units of insulin per kilogram body weight. Chromosomal analysis with trypsin banding was normal and biochemical evaluation revealed low oestrogen levels, inappropriately low gonadotrophins, very low IGF-I concentrations and GH concentrations unresponsive to insulin or L-dopa administration. Prolactin, pituitary-adrenal and pituitary-thyroid axes were normal. Dynamic testing with GnRH and GHRH produced increases in FSH, LH and GH concentrations. A MRI of the brain revealed no discernible hypothalamic abnormalities and a small pituitary. The presence of congenital combined growth hormone and gonadotrophin deficiency on the basis of a suprapituitary defect suggests the existence of common or related pathways regulating GnRH and GHRH synthesis or secretion and may have contributed to the ultimate development of insulin resistance and hyperlipidaemia.