The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.zaSerum gonadotrophin values were measured in 410 patients with amenorrhoea. These patients were grouped into five groups in order to determine diagnostic gonadotrophin values, since the latter are most often implicated in the diagnostic investigation of patients with amenorrhoea. Statistically significant differences were noted. To differentiate between hypergonadotrophic amenorrhoea and polycystic ovarian disease, determination of both gonadotrophins, namely follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), is necessary. Because of overlapping of values in the polycystic ovarian disease group and the normogonadotrophic group, the LH:FSH ratio is important.Publishers' versio
