Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Erroneous plasma “cortisol” values in Addison’s disease

A problem of the fluorimetric assay of 11-OH corticosteroids

  • Case Report
  • Published:
Irish Journal of Medical Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

A case is described in which a woman, being investigated for Addison’s disease, had what appeared initially to be plasma cortisol levels within the normal range. Subsequent investigations including ACTH stimulation and an immunofluorescent test for adrenal cortical antibodies showed the diagnosis to be correct. Attention is drawn to the lack of specificity of the fluorimetric plasma 11-OH corticosteroid assay and, therefore, to the danger of using plasma “cortisol” as a screening test for adrenocortical hypofunction.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ernest, I. 1966. Steroid excretion and plasma cortisol in 41 cases of Cushing’s syndrome. With data on corticotrophin and metapyron tests. Acta Endocrinol. 51, 511.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mattingly, D. 1962. A simple fluorometric method for the estimation of free 11-hydroxycorticoids in human plasma. J. Clin. Path. 15, 374.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mattingly, D. and Tyler, C. 1967. Simple screening test for Cushing’s syndrome. Brit. med. J. iv, 394.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Montgomery, D. A. D. and Welbourn, R. B. 1975. Medical and Surgical Endocrinology. London, Arnold, p. 96.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Therapeutics and Pharmacology, Queen’s University, Belfast

    G. MacFlynn, G. D. Johnston, D. G. McDevitt & D. R. Hadden

  2. Belfast City Hospital, Belfast

    G. MacFlynn, G. D. Johnston, D. G. McDevitt & D. R. Hadden

  3. Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast

    G. MacFlynn, G. D. Johnston, D. G. McDevitt & D. R. Hadden

Authors
  1. G. MacFlynn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. G. D. Johnston
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. D. G. McDevitt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. D. R. Hadden
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

MacFlynn, G., Johnston, G.D., McDevitt, D.G. et al. Erroneous plasma “cortisol” values in Addison’s disease. IJMS 144, 478–479 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02939058

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02939058

Keywords

Search

Navigation