[Familial idiopathic haemochromatosis with diabetes. Study of glucagon and growth hormone secretions (author's transl)].

In the course of familial idiopathic haemochromatosis with diabetes, after stimulation with arginine, the alpha cell responds perfectly to stimulation, in contrast to the case of chronic pancreatic diseases. After an oral glucose load, there is no reduction in plasma glucagon concentrations, and a paradoxal increase is sometimes seen. These results are quite similar to those reported in common diabetes. Secretion of growth hormone after an infusion of arginine and insulin hypoglycaemia seem to be significantly reduced in comparison with normal subjects and those suffering from common diabetes, paired and explored using the same protocol. This may perhaps explain the low degree of severity and slow course of associated vascular disease.