TRH stimulation test in the diagnosis of hyperthyreosis

After a review concerning the present knowledge on the hypothalamic peptide releasing hormones, the response of TSH to intravenous administration of TRH in man (Thyreotrophin Releasing Hormone Stimulation Test) is discussed, with regard to clinical endocrinology. Personal investigations with the TRH test were carried out in 3 groups of conditions correlated with thyroid hyperfunction: 1) suspected hyperthyroidism with equivocal routine tests (9 subjects); 2) autonomous thyroid decompensated adenoma, with or without clinical hyperthyroidism (5 subjects); 3) thyrotoxicosis (Graves' disease) in remission phase after pharmacological or surgical treatment (10 subjects). In these conditions the test provided useful diagnostic information for appropriate therapeutical decisions.