Endocrine function in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. A review.

Endocrine and metabolic disturbances found in patients with ALS are reviewed. Pancreatic function, carbohydrate tolerance, calcium metabolism, testicular and ovarian thyroid and pituitary function are discussed. It is difficult to interpret these various metabolic dysfunctions as being either an epiphenomenon of ALS or possibly a clue to etiology of the disease. The data are reviewed and interpreted with these constraints.