Differentiation between subtypes of primary hyperaldosteronism by multiple steroid measurement after dexamethasone administration.
In 6 patients with primary hyperaldosteronism (P.H.) and a unilateral adrenal adenoma (A) and in 5 patients with P.H. obviously due to bilateral adrenal hyperplasia (H), multiple serum corticosteroids were measured after different dietary or drug regimens. After administration of dexamethasone on a normal sodium diet, serum levels of 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC), corticosterone (B) and cortisol (F) were much lower in the H than in the A group. With respect to 11-deoxycorticosterone levels, there was no overlap between the two groups. Multiplication of individual serum DOC, B and F levels allowed a clearer separation of patients with A and H. This non-invasive method may offer an additional means in the differential diagnosis of P.H.
D000236:Adenoma / Q000097:blood; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000097:blood; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D003900:Desoxycorticosterone / Q000097:blood; D003907:Dexamethasone; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D006929:Hyperaldosteronism / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D003900:Desoxycorticosterone; D000450:Aldosterone; D003907:Dexamethasone; D012083:Renin; D003345:Corticosterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone