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A Study of Sulphatoxymelatonin Excretion and Gonadotropin Status During Weight Gain in Anorexia Nervosa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

J. Bearn*
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London
J. Treasure
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London
M. Murphy
Affiliation:
Maudsley Hospital, London
C. Franey
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry, University of Guildford
J. Arendt
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry, University of Guildford
M. Wheeler
Affiliation:
St Thomas' Hopsital, London
S. A. Checkley
Affiliation:
St Thomas' Hopsital, London
*
Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London SE5

Abstract

To clarify a controversy as to whether melatonin secretion is related to body weight, urinary sulphatoxymelatonin (aMT6s) excretion was estimated in 10 patients with anorexia nervosa before and after weight gain, and compared with 10 age-matched controls. There was no change in aMT6s excretion after weight gain, and no significant difference between the patients and control groups at either point. Significant increases in plasma LH, FSH, and estradiol were detected after weight gain in anorexic patients, independent of aMT6s excretion.

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Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1988 

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