The serum protein and lipid oxidation marker levels in Alzheimer's disease and effects of cholinesterase inhibitors and antipsychotic drugs therapy.

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum oxidation marker levels in patients with AD. Both untreated patients (n: 15) and patients who received treatment (n: 62) had higher Malondialdehyde (p<0.01 and p<0.001), Oxidized LDL (ox-LDL; p<0.0001 and p<0.0001), F(2)-isoprostane (p<0.0001 and p<0.001), and Nitric oxide (NOx; p<0.0001 and p<0.0001) levels compared with those of age-matched controls (n: 15). Protein Carbonyl and Asymmetrical Dimethyl-L-Arginine levels in Alzheimer patients were not found to be different from the controls. Short-term cholinesterase inhibitor (ChEIs) therapy (7, 5 +/-1, 5 months, n: 12) resulted in a reduction in ox-LDL and NOx levels (p<0.05 and p<0.01) from baseline. Long-term ChEI- therapy group (50, 4+/- 30, 5 months, n: 33) has higher ox-LDL, NOx and F(2)-isoprostane levels than short-term treated group (p<0.01, p<0.001 and p<0.05, respectively). Ox-LDL levels were also found to be lower in ChEI patients who were given antipsychotic treatment (n: 15) than in the group who were ChEIs-alone treatment group (p<0.0001). MMSE scores showed negative correlation with both NOx (p<0.05) and ox-LDL (p<0.05) levels. There was positive correlation between NOx and both MDA (p<0.05) and ox-LDL (p<0.05), and between F(2)-isoprostane and 3-NT (p<0.05). In conclusion, our results suggest that serum NOx-induced lipid oxidation levels were increased in AD and use of antipsychotic drugs may cause lower ox-LDL levels in patients having combination therapy with ChEi's. However, it is required further studies for the determination of clinical importance of these markers.

Static lung volumes in patients with Cushing's disease.

OBJECTIVE: Numerous clinical manifestations have been described in association with Cushing's syndrome. There are no eligible data on pulmonary function tests in Cushing's disease (CD). We aimed to asses pulmonary function tests including spirometry in a series of patients with active CD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study comprised 10 patients with Cushing's disease (F/M, 9/1). The forced expiratory volume in 1st second (FEV1), the forced vital capacity (FVC), the FEV1/FVC ratio and the forced expiratory flow over the middle half of the FVC (FEF 25-75%) values and predicted values were determined by spirometry. RESULTS: Mean age, height, weight, body mass index were 36.7+/-12.6 yrs (range 22-63 years), 156.9+/-8.4 cm, 74.1+/-10.7 kg, 29.6+/-3.8 kg/m(2), respectively. Spirometric abnormalities (impairment of FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC and FEF 25-75 values) were not detected, and there were no significant differences compared to reference values. Disease duration and cortisol concentrations by HDDSTs were negatively correlated with predicted FEV1/FVC values and the percentage of predicted FEV1 ratios, respectively. DISCUSSION: The lung volume and ventilatory performance by spirometry were not disturbed in patients with endogenous hypercostisolism due to Cushing's disease.

Unchanged asymmetric dimethylarginine levels in non-diabetic, premenopausal obese women who have common risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

This study was performed to test whether plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) concentrations are related to obesity and obesity complications including decrement in insulin sensitivity and adiponectin levels, dyslipidemia and low-grade inflammation. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) concentrations were analyzed by HPLC in 17 overweight (BMI > or = 25 kg/m2) and 40 obese (BMI > or = 30 kg/m2) premenopausal women. Age-matched healthy women were studied as controls. Obesity did not give rise to a significant change in circulating ADMA levels but reduced in SDMA levels. As compared with control subjects (0.441 +/- 0.102 microM), ADMA values in overweight and obese subjects were found to be as 0.412 +/- 0.102 and 0.436 +/- 0.093, respectively. No Pearson's association of ADMA with relevant risk variables for cardiovascular disease, including blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, inflammatory markers, lipid and adiponectin levels. However, in linear regression analysis, BMI, diastolic blood pressure, glucose, insulin, and IL-8 emerged as significant predictors of ADMA. In spite of obese women have elevated hs-CRP, triglyceride levels and decreased insulin sensitivity, adiponectin and HDL-cholesterol levels, all of which is closely linked risk factors for cardiovascular disease, circulating ADMA levels remained unchanged in obese individuals as compared with controls.

Insulin resistance is not related to plasma homocysteine concentration in healthy premenapausal women.

This study was performed to test whether plasma homocysteine concentrations are related to insulin resistance in healthy premenopausal women. For this purpose, the relationship between insulin resistance (as assessed by HOMA index) and fasting plasma homocysteine level was determined in 83 healthy volunteers. The results indicated that homocysteine concentrations did not vary as a function of HOMA index (r = -0.147). Plasma homocysteine concentrations also did not vary as a function of other parameters of insulin resistance such as HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, which they correlated inversely with body mass index (BMI). Furthermore, when individuals were classified according to quartiles of insulin resistance (HOMA index), plasma homocysteine concentrations from the lowest to the highest quartiles were not significantly different. On the other hand, the HOMA index correlated significantly with triglyceride concentrations (r = 0.377, p< 0.001), HDL-cholesterol (r = -0.310, p< 0.01) and BMI (r = 0.468, p< 0.001). These results suggest that plasma homocysteine concentrations are not related to insulin resistance and/or metabolic abnormalities associated with it in premenopausal women.

Relationship between cardiovascular risk indicators and types of obesity in overweight and obese women.

We aimed to evaluate the relationship between different types of obesity and cardiovascular risk indicators. A total of 623 overweight (body mass index [BMI] > 25 kg/m2), and 2559 obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2) women were divided into four groups according to their BMI and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR): simple overweight (BMI 25-30 kg/m2 and WHR < 0.8, n = 371), abdominal adiposity (BMI 25-30 kg/m2 and WHR > 0.8, n = 252), peripheral (pure) obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2 and WHR < 0.8, n = 918) and central obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2 and WHR > 0.8, n = 1641). The levels of the risk indicators measured (clinical, anthropometric and laboratory) were significantly higher in the central obesity group. Total body fat and abdominal fat accumulation seems to result in more serious hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance in central obesity. Measuring BMI and WHR in obese patients may reveal their risk for coronary heart disease.

Associations among sex hormone binding globulin concentrations and characteristics of the metabolic syndrome in obese women.

The aim of this study was to determine sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations in premenopausal obese women who were otherwise healthy, and to evaluate the relationships between SHBG concentrations and features of the metabolic syndrome; 307 premenopausal women (mean age 30.9+/-10.2 years) were studied. Subjects were divided into two groups according to the BMI: Group I, women with BMI <30 kg/m2 (n=69) and Group II, women with BMI > or = 30 kg/m2 (n=238). Insulin resistance was determined according to the Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) formula. Median SHBG concentration of Group I was 75.9 nmol/l. Group II was divided into two subgroups according to the median SHBG concentration of Group I; women with high SHBG (SHBG concentration > or = median level of the control group, i.e. > or = 76 nmol/l) and women with low SHBG (i.e. <76 nmol/l). The low SHBG group was significantly younger, with higher waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Triglycerides, uric acid, insulin and HOMA values were significantly higher and HDL-cholesterol was significantly lower in the low SHBG group. Multiple regression analysis revealed that age and uric acid concentrations were significant independent predictors of SHBG concentrations in the whole group (regression summary, adjusted r2=0.1414, F=10.5627, p<0.001). It is concluded that low SHBG concentrations may indicate a severe degree of insulin resistance in premenopausal obese women.

Determination of endothelial function and early atherosclerotic changes in healthy obese women.

The aim of this study was to determine the associations between vascular endothelial function, intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery and anthropometric/metabolic parameters in healthy obese women without obesity-related metabolic complications and age-matched healthy lean controls. Twenty-four obese [body mass index (BMI) > 30 kg/m2; age 31.4 +/- 7.4 yr] and 14 lean (BMI < 24 kg/m2; age 30.5 +/- 7.2 yr) women were studied. All of the subjects had normolipemia. Insulin resistance was calculated according to the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) formula. Endothelial function was measured by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery. IMT of the common carotid artery was calculated from high-resolution ultrasound imaging of the two common carotid arteries. Obese and lean women were matched with respect to age, smoking status, blood pressure, glucose, insulin concentrations and HOMA. IMT of common carotid artery was significantly higher (0.56 +/- 0.09 vs 0.45 +/- 0.06 mm, p < 0.001) and FMD (percentage of change from baseline) was significantly lower (13.3 +/- 6.5% vs 25.2 +/- 13.9%,p < 0.001) in the obese subjects. Lipid profile, blood pressure, indirect measurement of insulin resistance, leptin concentrations and anthropometric parameters did not predict the FMD or IMT in the obese and lean groups. It is concluded that even in healthy obese women with a normal metabolic profile, deterioration in endothelial function and early atherosclerotic changes are evident compared with healthy lean counterparts. Some undetermined factors in our study other than obesity-related well-known risk factors could be responsible for this observation.

An increase in lipoprotein oxidation and endogenous lipid peroxides in serum of obese women.

Endogenous malondialdehyde and diene conjugate levels, the susceptibility of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins to copper-induced lipid peroxidation, and antibody titer against oxidized low-density lipoproteins were increased, but serum antioxidant activity was unchanged in obese women. Serum cholesterol, low-density lipoproteincholesterol, and trigliceride levels were also elevated, but high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels remained unchanged in obese women. In vitro, oxidation of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins and levels of antibody against oxidized low-density lipoprotein correlated with body mass index, serum total cholesterol, and low-density lipoproteincholesterol levels in obese women. These results indicate that obesity is associated with increases in endogenous lipid peroxides, oxidation of low-density lipoproteins, and lipids in serum.

Clinical laboratory findings and results of therapy in 55 patients with Cushing's syndrome.

In this study, 55 patients with Cushing's syndrome (CS) (50 female, 5 male; mean age 34 +/- 12.3 yr) who attended our clinics between the years 1983 and 2000 were retrospectively evaluated for clinical and laboratory features and modalities and results of therapy, due to a few similar studies over the last ten years. Cushing's disease was diagnosed in 39 patients (71%), adrenal adenoma in 13 patients (23.6%) and adrenal carcinoma in 3 patients (5.5%). Centripedal obesity, moon face, hypertension, hirsutism and purplish stria were the most frequent findings. Loss of normal serum F circadian rhythm was found in all patients with CS. The overnight 1 mg oral dexamethasone suppression test and low-dose dexamethasone suppression test (LDDST) yielded 100% and 100% diagnostic sensitivity for CS, respectively. Sensitivity and specivity of the high-dose dexamethasone suppression test (HDDST) in distinguishing Cushing's disease was found to be 82% and 100%, respectively. All of the patients with adrenal CS were not suppressed with HDDST. Sellar CT and/or MRI accurately identified the tumor in 58% of these patients. Recurrence was observed in 3 (11%) of the 28 patients with Cushing's disease, treated by transsphenoidal adenomectomy. Recurrence was diagnosed 1.5, 3 and 6 yr after the operation in these 3 patients. One patient had residue tumor. In our case series, bilateral adrenalectomy plus pituitary irradiation achieved the highest remission rate (100%) in Cushing's disease. In 2 out of 4 patients (50%) treated by left adrenalectomy associated with pituitary irradiation, recurrence was observed. Panhypopituitarism due to tumor apoplexy was observed in one of the patients with Cushing's disease. All of the patients with adrenal CS, the tumor was accurately localized with imaging methods before the operation. The appropriate operative procedure resulted in complete remission in patients with adrenal adenoma. Consequently, Cushing's disease was the most common form of CS. The overnight 1 mg oral DST and 24-h urine free F excretion (UFC) as screening tests, 2-day LDDST as diagnostic test and 2-day HDDST as differential diagnostic test were good studies. More successful outcomes have been achieved in treatment of Cushing's disease with the development of pituitary surgery in the recent years, as well as in our case series. Surgery is also curative for adrenal adenoma patients. Survival remains poor among carcinoma patients.

Left ventricular diastolic function abnormalities in hypopituitary patients with GH deficiency: evidence for a subclinical cardiomyopathy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate cardiac performance, in particular diastolic function, in adult patients with adulthood onset GH deficiency. The study group was composed of 19 GH deficient adult hypopituitary patients with at-least 3 additional pituitary hormone deficits and 19 age, sex and BMI matched healthy controls. Mean duration of hypopituitarism was 108.6 +/- 77.0 months. None of the patients and controls presented with or had previous diagnosis of concomitant diseases that could affect cardiac function. All hormone deficiencies, except for GH, were appropriately replaced in the patients. Left ventricular function and geometry were evaluated by two-dimensional, M-mode and Doppler echocardiography. Body composition was evaluated by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Not significant differences were observed with respect to left heart dimensions and left ventricular systolic function between patients and controls. Nevertheless 2 of the left ventricular diastolic function parameters, deceleration time and isovolumetric relaxation time, were significantly prolonged in the patients compared with controls (247.88 +/- 70.65 vs 143.26 +/- 31.70 milliseconds (ms) and 122.31 +/- 18.24 vs 89.47 +/- 12.12 ms respectively, p<0.001). Duration of hypopituitarism was significantly correlated with percent body fat mass (r=0.6119, p<0.01) and percent lean body mass (r=-0.5949, p<0.01). It is concluded that in adults affected by hypopituitarism, GH deficiency predominantly impairs diastolic function while systolic function at rest is spared. This observation might indicate a preclinical stage of a cardiomyopathy.

Cushing's syndrome caused by ectopic corticotropin secretion by multiple peripheral pulmonary carcinoids and tumorlets of carcinoid type.

Multiple peripheral pulmonary carcinoid tumors or their smaller counterparts (tumorlets of carcinoid type) are the most unusual form of carcinoids as a cause of ectopic corticotropin syndrome. Only three case reports were found in the literature. We describe a 35 year-old female patient with ectopic corticotropin secretion due to multiple peripheral pulmonary carcinoid tumors and tumorlets. A high-dose dexamethasone suppression test result led to the diagnosis of Cushing's disease in our case. But no tumor was identified on sella imaging and bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling was non-diagnostic. Computed tomography of the lungs revealed multiple acinar-nodular parenchymal infiltrations confined to the left lung. Corticotropin-dependent hypercortisolism persisted after bilateral adrenalectomy. A second operation was necessary to remove the hyperplastic adrenal remnants. Meanwhile, computed tomography findings of the thorax were unchanged. We decided to explore these nodules by open lung biopsy. During the procedure multiple nodules ranging 12 to 3 mm in diameter scattered throughout the left lung were observed and left pneumonectomy was performed. Histopathological diagnosis was multiple peripheral carcinoid tumors and tumorlets of carcinoid type showing positive immunostaining with corticotropin. This observation emphasizes a rare form of carcinoids as a cause of ectopic corticotropin secretion and its unusual response to high dose dexamethasone suppression test.

Serum lipid and leptin concentrations in hypopituitary patients with growth hormone deficiency.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of growth hormone (GH) deficiency on serum lipid and leptin concentrations in hypopituitary patients taking conventional replacement therapy and to determine the relations between leptin and gender and anthropometric and metabolic variables. SUBJECTS: Twenty-one GH deficient adult hypopituitary patients (15 women, six men) and 21 (14 women, seven men) age, sex and body mass index (BMI) matched healthy controls. MEASUREMENTS: After an overnight fast, anthropometric parameters were measured and body composition was determined by a bioelectrical impedance analyser. Venous blood samples were obtained for the measurements of glucose, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglyceride, intact insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and leptin concentrations. Serum leptin and hormones were analysed by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Hypopituitary patients with GH deficiency showed significantly higher triglyceride, total and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and lower HDL cholesterol concentrations on conventional replacement therapy. The unfavourable lipid profile was particularly evident in women. Significantly higher leptin concentrations were found in patients compared with healthy controls with similar body fat content (23. 5+/-11.8 ng/ml vs 11.7+/-6.9 ng/ml, P=0.01). This difference remained significant even when leptin values were expressed in relation to fat mass percentage (0.79+/-0.40 vs. 0.42+/-0.17 ng/ml%, P<0.05) and fat mass kg (1.32+/-0.81 vs 0.66+/-0.30 ng/ml kg, P<0. 05). Significant positive correlations were observed between leptin concentrations and body fat percentage and age in the control group. In patients the sole significant relation between leptin and study parameters was the positive correlation observed between leptin and total cholesterol concentrations. Serum leptin concentrations were significantly higher in women than men in the control group, but not in the patients. No significant gender difference was observed when leptin concentrations were expressed in relation to fat mass (percentage and kg). CONCLUSION: Growth hormone deficient hypopituitary patients (particularly women) on conventional replacement therapy have a more atherogenic lipid profile. Leptin concentrations are increased in GH deficient adults even after adjustment for percentage body fat and body fat mass (kg). Although the nature of our data does not allow us to draw any conclusions on the mechanism(s) of increased leptin concentrations in GH deficiency, decreased central sensitivity to leptin and increased leptin production from per unit fat mass, or alterations in leptin clearance, might be operative.

Oxidative protein damage in plasma of type 2 diabetic patients.

In this study, we evaluated protein oxidation in 84 patients with Type 2 diabetes with no complications and in 61 healthy volunteers who formed the control group, whose ages matched those of the patients. We determined plasma carbonyl and plasma thiol levels as markers of oxidative protein damage and erythrocyte glutathione, plasma ceruloplasmin and transferrin as markers of free radical scavengers. The concentrations (mean +/- SD) of both of plasma carbonyl (1.24 +/- 0.46 vs. 0.72 +/- 0.17 nmole/mg protein; p < 0.0001) and lipid hydroperoxides (1.8 +/- 0.63 vs. 1.3 +/- 0.21 micromole/l; p < 0.0001) were increased, and the concentration of plasma transferrin (3.85 +/- 0.65 vs. 4.59 +/- 0.79 g/l; p < 0.05) was decreased, respectively, in Type 2 diabetic patients compared with those of the controls. There were no significant differences in the concentrations of plasma thiol (0.0064 +/- 0.001 vs. 0.0068 +/- 0.001 micromole/mg protein), erythrocyte glutathione (2.54 +/- 0.57 vs. 2.65 +/- 0.56 mg/g Hb), plasma ceruloplasmin (548 +/- 107.30 vs. 609 +/- 93.34 mg/l) between the patients and the controls. These changes observed in diabetic patients contribute to the imbalance in the redox status of the plasma. We attribute this imbalance to oxidative protein damage in Type 2 diabetic patients clinically free of complications.

Clinical course of a pituitary macroadenoma in the first trimester of pregnancy: probable lymphocytic hypophysitis.

Recent findings revealed that the clinical features of lymphocytic hypophysitis are more complicated than previously thought. It is rarely described in the first trimester of pregnancy and signs of meningeal irritation are infrequently reported. In this study, a pregnant woman in her first trimester of pregnancy with clinical and radiological characteristics of a pituitary macroadenoma is described. The patient's pituitary profile revealed a relatively low prolactin for her stage of pregnancy. Unusual findings were neck stiffness associated with headache, nausea and vomiting. She was treated conservatively. Spontaneous complete resolution of the pituitary mass in the postpartum period led us to conclude that the correct diagnosis should be hypophysitis. Hypophysitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a pituitary mass presenting in early stages of pregnancy with symptoms mimicking hyperemesis gravidarum and/or meningeal irritation.

Fever in dialysis patients with recently rejected renal allografts.

INTRODUCTION: Fever of unknown origin is a complex problem in dialysis patients with recently rejected renal allografts, due to the contribution of the newly withheld immunosuppressive agents to the immunosuppression of uremia, resulting in an atypical presentation of infections, a main cause of fever in these cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two dialysis patients with recently rejected renal allografts who were hospitalized because of fever of unknown origin are reported. Biochemical, bacteriological and imaging studies were performed for specific diagnosis. RESULTS: Extensive laboratory investigations failed to yield any diagnosis and allograft nephrectomy was performed in one patient, with a probable diagnosis of inflammation of the allograft, which resulted in no improvement. Eventually, both patients were found to have adrenal insufficiency responsible for the fever, which improved after steroid replacement. CONCLUSIONS: Adrenal insufficiency should be suspected in all dialysis patients presenting with fever and atypical symptoms, but only after other potential causes are eliminated; since steroid administration may normalize fever regardless of the etiology, it may mask the signs and symptoms and delay the treatment of other (if any) underlying disorder(s).

Evaluation of signal-averaged electrocardiogram in healthy obese women: effects of subcutaneous adipose tissue.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the correlations between signal-averaged electrocardiography (SAECG) indices and various anthropometric parameters in obese women. SUBJECTS: Twenty-seven healthy obese women (mean age 29.7 +/- 9.6 y, mean body mass index 35.2 +/- 6.0 kg/m2). MEASUREMENTS: SAECG was performed using a Marquette, MAC 12/15 system. Bidirectional filtering, low-pass filtering 250 Hz and 25, 40 and 80 Hz high-pass filter settings were employed on the same averaged beats. At least 200 beats were averaged to achieve a noise level <1 microV. Body mass index, waist to hip circumference ratio, neck circumference, arm circumference and conicity index were determined for all subjects. Skinfold thicknesses were measured in triceps, biceps, subscapular, supra-iliac and para-umbilical regions. RESULTS: Significant correlations were observed between the root mean square (RMS) voltage of the terminal 40 ms of the filtered ORS complex at 25 and 40 Hz and skinfold thicknesses measured at different sites. Significant correlations were obtained between the noise level at 25 and 40 Hz and skinfold thicknesses measured at subscapular, biceps and triceps regions also. The only SAECG parameter correlated significantly with the noise level was the RMS voltage at 25 and 40 Hz high-pass filter settings. CONCLUSIONS: In obese women SAECG must be performed with 80 Hz high-pass filter setting which eliminates the random noise originating from the subcutaneous adipose tissue. In addition RMS voltage which shows positive linear correlations with the noise level of 25 and 40 Hz high-pass filter settings might be inappropriate for the definition of abnormal SAECG criteria in obese women.

Acromegalic cardiomyopathy: evaluation of the left ventricular diastolic function in the subclinical stage.

It is recently shown that the majority of acromegalic patients without concomitant heart disease have diastolic dysfunction at rest. The aim of this study is to evaluate left ventricular diastolic function in normotensive acromegalic patients without any evidence of heart disease. Eleven acromegalic patients and 16 normal subjects of comparable age and sex distribution were studied by echocardiography. Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, interventricular septal thickness, left ventricular posterior wall thickness, left ventricular end-diastolic volume and stroke volume were found to be significantly higher in acromegalic patients. Left ventricular mass and left ventricular mass index increased significantly in acromegalics in comparison with controls (229.16 +/- 46.11 g versus 167.17 +/- 24.57 g and 124.99 +/- 26.91 g/m2 versus 95.09 +/- 13.29 g/m2 respectively, p < 0.001). Mitral A wave desceleration rate and isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT)-two of the studied parameters of left ventricular diastolic filling- were significantly prolonged in patients as compared with controls (p = 0.03 and p < 0.001 respectively). Four (36%) of the acromegalic patients had peak early/late diastolic mitral velocity ratio lower than 1, indicating diastolic dysfunction. All of the patients had IVRT longer than 90 ms (mean + 2 standart deviations of normals). It is concluded that in acromegalic patients without any other evidence of heart disease left ventricular diastolic function is impaired. This indicates a specific cardiomyopathy exists in the subclinical stage. IVRT is found to be more sensitive than other studied parameters for detecting diastolic dysfunction at this stage.

Primary hypothyroidism with hyperprolactinaemia and pituitary enlargement mimicking a pituitary macroadenoma.

Hyperprolactinaemia can occur in patients with hypothyroidism. A 32-year-old woman with primary hypothyroidism presented with amenorrhoea and galactorrhoea of two years' duration. She had hyperprolactinaemia, low basal morning cortisol levels and evidence of a pituitary macroadenoma on magnetic resonance imaging. Therapy with L-thyroxine resulted in induction of regular menses, resolution of galactorrhoea, normalisation of hormone levels and disappearance of the image of pituitary macroadenoma. It seems that enlargement of the pituitary due to thyrotroph and/or lactotroph cell hyperplasia secondary to hypothyroidism is responsible for this 'pseudotumour' image on radiological study. Recovery of her low basal cortisol values during treatment could also be explained by the dissolution of the pressure effect of enlarged pituitary in addition to the regression of hypothyroidism. In subjects with primary hypothyroidism and hyperprolactinaemia and pituitary enlargement, thyroid hormone replacement should be a first line treatment preceding pituitary surgery and bromocriptine use.