[Hypopituitarism and hyperlipidemia. Protective effect of growth hormone deficiency against atherosclerosis (author's...

A serie of 12 cases of hypopituitarism (Sheehan's syndrome, pituitary adenoma, idiopathic) associated with hyperlipidemia (type IIb in general), is reported. It is suggested that: 1--Growth hormone deficiency seems to have a protective effect against atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemia because there are no cardiovascular signs in 10 cases with a history of growth hormone deficiency lasting from 5 to 57 years and a manifesting hyperlipidemia (lasting a mean of 23 years), and there is stabilisation or improvement of ischemic signs in 2 other cases. 2--Lipid abnormalities are frequently seen in hypopituitarism even after thyroid replacement therapy. 3--The hyperlipidemia can be familial or can result from growth hormone deficiency alone.