Abstract
21-deoxycortisol has been identified by others (1) in the plasma of a patient with the 21-hydroxylase deficiency variant of the adrenogenital syndrome. Because 21-deoxy cortisol* is similar in chemical structure to cortisol,** we tested the relative ability of this steroid to react as “cortisol” in three commonly employed methods of assaying cortisol: competitive protein binding, fluorometric and the phenylhydrazine (Porter-Silber) reaction. On an equal weight basis, 21-deoxycortisol gave 87% of the value of cortisol in the competitive protein binding assay; and 27% of the value of cortisol in the fluorometric assay. The phenylhydrazine reaction with 21-deoxycortisol was negative so that this steroid did not interfere in the Porter-Silber assay. It is concluded that falsely elevated values of plasma “cortisol” may be found in patients with 21- hydroxylase deficiency when cortisol is determined by the fluorometric or competitive binding methods.
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.
