Repeated circadian growth hormone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone in children: influence of 9-alpha-fluorohydrocortisone.

Growth hormone (GH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in plasma of 5 children at different pubertal stages and suffering from moderate orthostatic complaints, were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Parameters for secretory capacity were arginine loading and circadian hormonal patterns in hourly intervals from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and in half-hourly intervals from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. before and after 6 weeks treatment with 9-alpha-fluorohydrocortisone (9-alpha-F, Astonin-H, Fa. Merck, Darmstadt, 0.1–0.2 mg/day). Plasma GH during arginine tests and in circadian levels remained unchanged, but circadian LH showed a consistent slight rise in all children.