Fehm H L, Voigt K H, Lang R, Hetzel W D, Pfeiffer E F
Horm Metab Res. 1976 Nov;8(6):470-4. doi: 10.1055/s-0028-1093598.
Partial adrenocortical insufficiency as a result of an insufficiency of the hypothalamic corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) was demonstrated in a 53-year-old female patient. Somatotropic, gonadotropic and thyreotropic functions of the pituitary gland were shown to be normal by a simultaneous pituitary stimulation test. This held true especially for the adrenocorticotrophic function: administration of lysine-vasopressin induced a normal rise in immunoreactive plasma-ACTH. Thus, a pituitary defect as a primary cause of the disease could be excluded and evidence was provided that there was a lack in hypothalamic stimulae absence of elevated ACTH levels hyperpigmentation of the skin existed. Possible explanations are discussed.
