Hypercarotenemia in hypothalamic amenorrhea.

Six patients are described with hypothalamic amenorrhea and associated hypercarotenemia. The commencement of the hypothalamic amenorrhea followed weight reduction or stress in each case. The subjects were otherwise healthy and had none of the associated stigmata of anorexia nervosa. None of the subjects had ingested excessive quantities of vegetables or fruits rich in carotene. Although all six patients had elevated serum carotene levels, only three had clinically apparent yellow pigmentation of the skin. The exact mechanism responsible for hypercarotenemia in patients with hypothalamic amenorrhea is not apparent. Mobilization of lipid stores and catabolic changes occurring with weight-loss states appear to be related in some undefined way to the elevated carotene levels.