Abstract
Total 24 hour urinary 17-ketosteroid and serum testosterone (T), androstenedione (Δ), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroeplandrosterone sulfate (DS), and cortisol levels were measured before and during four days of dexamethasone administration in 28 hirsute patients and 10 women with normal ovulatory cycles. Both the base-line urinary 17-ketosteroids and serum androgen levels were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in hirsute than in normal subjects. Cortisol levels were similar in the two groups. Dexamethasone administration resulted in a significant suppression (p < 0.05) of all the urinary and serum androgen and cortisol levels in both groups. At the end of suppression the serum DHEA, DS, and cortisol levels were similar, while the urinary 17-ketosteroids and serum T and Δ levels were still significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the hirsute than in normal women. There was poor correlation between total urinary 17-ketosteroid and serum androgen results. These findings suggest there is a dual abnormality of androgen production in hirsute patients. The adrenal glands appear to secrete increased quatities of DHEA and DS, while the ovaries appear to produce elevated amounts of T and Δ.
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 callDisclaimer: 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.
