Adrenal function in patients receiving medroxyprogesterone acetate

Abstract

Adrenal and pituitary function studies consisting of ACTH stimulation and SU-4885 tests were performed on ten patients before and during medroxyprogesterone acetate injections for one year. Plasma cortisols and urinary excretion rates of 17-ketosteroid and 17-ketogenic steroids were measured before and during the test. The following observations were noted: (a) baseline plasma cortisol levels were lower after receiving medroxyprogesterone acetate injections; (b) with ACTH stimulation, 17-ketogenic steroids and plasma cortisol showed a normal response, whereas the excretion rates of urinary 17-ketosteroids showed variable responses; (c) with SU-4885, the increases in urinary 17-ketogenic steroid excretion rates in subjects receiving MPA was less than that observed prior to MPA, again, the 17-ketosteroid excretion rates were variable.