Abstract
Urinary 6beta-hydroxycortisol (6betaOHF) excretion was measured and compared with free cortisol and 17-hydroxycorticosteroid (17OH) excretion in normal children, patients with Cushing's syndrome or disease (CSD), and patients during cortisol therapy. Normal 6betaOHF excretion in children was 0.23 +/- 0.03 mg/m2/24 h (mean +/- SE). No sex difference was found. ACTH infusion (40 U/day for 5 days) and high dose cortisol altered the 6 betaOHF:17OH ratio so that it was indistinguishable from the ratio seen in CSD. The fact that both Cushing's disease and high dose cortisol therapy caused the same change in the 6 betaOHF:17OH ratio suggests that cortisol and not ACTH induced 6beta-hydroxylase in hypercortisolemic subjects. Since the 6betaOHF:17OH ratio in CSD patients was always well above the normal range, measurement of 6betaOHF excretion was a better and more rapid test for chronic hypercortisolemia than urinary 17OH or free cortisol. Thus, measurement of urinary 6betaOHF is suggested as a good diagnostic test for hypercortisolemic states.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
