[Endocrinologic findings in Crohn's disease]

In 45 patients with radiologically and endoscopically/histologically proven Crohn's disease the partial functions of the anterior pituitary gland were measured prior to steroid therapy. No deficiencies were observed with respect to cortico-, thyro-, gonado-, and somatotropic functions. In 25 out of 40 patients (63%) the typical diurnal rhythm of cortisol secretion was absent when assessed by a distinctly elevated 6 p.m. cortisol serum level. In about one fourth of 22 patients T3-RIA was reduced, indicating deficiency of conversion from T4 to T3. Six (43%) out of 14 males showed reduced basal testosterone levels at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. which, in 4 out of 14 cases, did not increase sufficiently in response to HCG. The basal LH-level was elevated in 9 (50%) of 18 males. The lack of diurnal rhythm of cortisol secretion and primary insufficiency of Leydig's cells did not correlate with the activity of the disease.