[TRH-stimulated growth hormone secretion in acromegaly. Therapeutic results with 188 patients]

TRH-induced stimulation of hGH secretion before and after operation or radiotherapy and during bromocriptine treatment was tested in 188 patients with acromegaly. A normal hGH level (basal level less than 5 ng/ml) was achieved after operation in 106 patients (58%). Postoperatively persisting elevated hGH levels were reduced to normal by bromocriptine in 39%, by radiation in 22% and by combined radiation and bromocriptine in 48%. In cases with additional hyperprolactinaemia a response to bromocriptine occurred in 47%. Pre- and postoperative TRH-induced stimulation of hGH secretion was not correlated with the rate of either normalization nor recurrence and thus has no prognostic significance.