[Global pituitary stimulation test with releasing hormones]

The endocrine function of the thyroid and gonads has for long been investigated using the corresponding releasing hormones (TRH- and LHRH-test, respectively). The adrenal cortex has, up to now, been stimulated using insulin-induced hypoglycaemia or lysine-vasopressin and growth hormone stimulated using arginine. New diagnostic possibilities have arisen with the isolation of the corresponding releasing-hormones, CRF and GRF, and with the availability of these too for clinical use. Using the four above mentioned releasing-hormones in a global pituitary-stimulation-test, the secretion of ACTH, cortisol, STH, TSH, LH, FSH and prolactin hormones can now be examined together.