The effect of nacom (L-dopa and L-carbidopa) on growth hormone secretion in 75 patients with short stature.

The stimulatory effect of Nacom (250 mg L-Dopa and 25 mg L-Carbidopa) on the HGH secretion was evaluated in 75 short stature patients. The number of blood samples was restricted to only three (0, 45 and 90 min). 63 patients reached adequate HGH concentrations after the ingestion of 1 tablet Nacom (84%). Somatotropin levels increased from 2.08 (Sx 0.28) to a maximal HGH value of 14.22 (Sx 0.87) ng/ml. When the stimulatory effect of Nacom was compared with the standard method of arginine infusion in children with normal stature the arginine test was not superior to the Nacom-test. The Nacom-test appears to be a simple and reliable screening method for HGH deficiency, particularly in outpatients.