Endocrine function in multiple sclerosis.

In 31 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) the endocrine functions of the hypothalamus, the pituitary and several peripheral endocrine glands were assessed with a combined pituitary test; 3/31 patients had an endocrine disease: one primary hypothyroidism, one primary amenorrhea and one primary male hypogonadism. We found no patient with endocrine disease of the hypothalamus, the pituitary or the adrenals. However, the poststimulatory secretion of cortisol, growth hormone or thyroid-stimulating hormone was impaired in 7/31 patients, suggesting a possible preclinical endocrine insufficiency in these patients.