Alteration of serum pituitary hormone levels in postmenopausal women with stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The aim of this study was to determine if circulating levels of pituitary hormones are altered by stroke and, if so, whether these alterations offer insight into specific neurochemical pathways in the region of the central nervous system injury. METHODS Twenty-eight consecutive postmenopausal women undergoing computed tomographic imaging of the brain for evaluation of clinical evidence of stroke underwent blood sampling for determination of serum levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, triiodothyronine, prolactin, estradiol, and sex hormone--binding globulin. RESULTS In stroke involving the caudate, serum levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone were reduced to 16% and 24% of concentrations found in those with stroke outside of the basal ganglia (p < 0.03 and p < 0.01, respectively). Levels of estradiol, sex hormone-binding globulin, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and prolactin were similar in all stroke groups. Nonspecific biochemical effects of stress that might influence hormone concentrations were assessed by measurement of serum triiodothyronine, the level of which is a sensitive biochemical correlate of disease severity. These levels were not different between stroke groups. CONCLUSIONS Stroke involving the caudate nucleus may interrupt neurotransmitter pathways involved in control of secretion of gonadotropins. Peripheral levels of these hormones may serve as a marker for central neurochemical disturbances associated with stroke in specific brain regions.