STEROID EXCRETION IN IDIOPATHIC HIRSUTISM
Keyword(s):
The Mean
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SUMMARY The excretion of urinary steroids and their response to corticotrophin has been studied in a group of patients with idiopathic hirsutism. The mean resting levels of 17-oxosteroids and 17-hydroxycorticosteroids were higher, and the response to corticotrophin was greater, in the patients as compared to control subjects. Fractionation of 17-oxosteroids in eight patients showed an elevated or abnormally high excretion of steroid metabolites which were presumably being derived from androgen. This appeared to be associated with an adequate production of cortisol, as judged from urinary excretion studies.