title: Adrenocorticotropic hormone testing in idiopathic hirsutism and polycystic ovarian disease: a test of limited usefulness.
abstract: The plasma 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) concentration was determined in the basal state and 60 minutes after cosyntropin, 0.25 mg, in 139 patients with idiopathic hirsutism (IH) and polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD). Although there was an increased response of 17-OHP in subjects with PCOD when compared with IH subjects, in no instance was stimulated 17-OHP abnormal in the presence of normal basal 17-OHP. Two subjects with 21-hydroxylase (21-OH) deficiency were discovered; both demonstrated elevated basal levels of 17-OHP. We therefore conclude that routine adrenocorticotropic hormone testing is not a useful tool in detecting 21-OH deficiency in hyperandrogenic women.
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Cobin
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Futterweit
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Fiedler
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Thornton
mesh_terms: D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone; D000293:Adolescent; D000312:Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000328:Adult; D003366:Cosyntropin; D005260:Female; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D006908:Hydroxyprogesterones / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
chemical_list: D006908:Hydroxyprogesterones; D003366:Cosyntropin; D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone