Reproductive hormone changes during weight gain in male anorectics.

Plasma LH, FSH, testosterone and sex-hormone-binding globulin have been measured in a total of ten male anorectics. There was no significant correlation between body weight and FSH levels or body weight and SHBG levels. Both LH and testosterone concentrations were significantly correlated with body weight. They were well below the adult normal range at low body weight and rose with weight gain although in many cases neither hormone reached normal levels at target weight. The plasma LH and FSH response to 50 micrograms LHRH was measured in five male anorectics on twelve occasions, and compared with the responses of twelve normal adult males. The anorectic patients showed a FSH response which was normal on eleven occasions and slightly raised on one occasion. The LH response was below normal at weights below 40 kg, exaggerated between 45 kg and 50 kg and within normal limits at other weight ranges. These results are compared with previous findings in female anorectics.