This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a related Letter to the Editor Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by LINDHOLM, J. Articles by DINESEN, B. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by LINDHOLM, J. Articles by DINESEN, B.

Plasma Corticotropin and Cortisol in Patients with Pituitary Adenomas

Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Neuroendocrinology, the Department of Nuclear Medicine, and the Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Clinic-Rigshospitalet 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark

Address requests for reprints to: Dr. Jörgen Lindholm, Department of Neurosurgery 2092, Division of Neuroendocrinology, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.

Plasma ACTH and cortisol were measured during insulin-induced hypoglycemia in 39 patients with a pituitary adenoma or after hypophysectomy and in 26 healthy persons. Adrenocortical insufficiency was defined as failure to increase plasma cortisol to at least 500 nmol/liter (18 µg/dl) during hypoglycemia. No proper distinction was possible between patients with normal and impaired cortisol response to hypoglycemia on the basis of the ACTH results. When all 39 patients were compared to the 26 controls, the cortisol results differed significantly, but those of ACTH did not. These results demonstrate a limited value of ACTH measurements in secondary adrenocortical failure. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 48: 348, 1979)

Received June 20, 1978.