The use of a LHRH agonist as a prostate cancer hormone therapy is also known as chemical castration. The hypothalamus produces an agent called luteinizing hormone releasing hormone ( LHRH) which leads to the production of testosterone. Luteinizing hormone releasing hormone is also known as Gonadotropin hormone releasing hormone ( GnRH). The LHRH agonist mimics LHRH and occupies the pituitary gland’s receptors which causes the testicles to begin producing large amounts of testosterone. This increase in production is known as hormone flare or hormone flare. The LHRH agonist has a longer biological half-life than normal LHRH, so the LHRH agonist continues to occupy the receptors. The body’s level of testosterone then drops to castrate level.
|
