Elevated serum glycoprotein hormone α-subunit (α-subunit) levels are seen in about one of six patients bearing pituitary adenomas. This finding has particular clinical significance in patients with nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas. Moreover, the measurement of α-subunit along with the calculation of the molar ratio between α-subunit and TSH, LH, or FSH is helpful in the diagnosis of glycoprotein hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas. Since serum α-subunit levels may vary greatly in several physiologic and pathologic conditions, care has to be taken to differentiate abnormal from normal states of α-subunit hypersecretion as well as to exclude causes of α-subunit overproduction only casually associated with the presence of pituitary tumors.
Glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit in pituitary adenomas / P. Beck-Peccoz, L. Persani, G. Faglia. - In: TRENDS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM. - ISSN 1043-2760. - 3:2(1992), pp. 41-45.
Glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit in pituitary adenomas
P. Beck-Peccoz
;L. PersaniSecondo
;G. FagliaUltimo
1992
Abstract
Elevated serum glycoprotein hormone α-subunit (α-subunit) levels are seen in about one of six patients bearing pituitary adenomas. This finding has particular clinical significance in patients with nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas. Moreover, the measurement of α-subunit along with the calculation of the molar ratio between α-subunit and TSH, LH, or FSH is helpful in the diagnosis of glycoprotein hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas. Since serum α-subunit levels may vary greatly in several physiologic and pathologic conditions, care has to be taken to differentiate abnormal from normal states of α-subunit hypersecretion as well as to exclude causes of α-subunit overproduction only casually associated with the presence of pituitary tumors.Pubblicazioni consigliate
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