THE PLASMA CORTISOL RESPONSE TO ACTH IN “IDIOPATHIC HIRSUTISM”*

Abstract
A method has been described for the determination of cortisol in human plasma by which normal plasma cortisol levels have been measured. These values are 10.6 [plus or minus]3.1 [plus or minus]g/100 ml between 8:30 and 9 a.m. and 7.3 [plus or minus] 2.7 [mu]g/100 ml between 10:30 a.m. and noon. Ten women with "idiopathic hirsutism" were studied with 8 hour intravenous adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) tests. Nine of the 10 patients responded to ACTH with increased levels of plasma cortisol and increased urinary corticoids in comparison with control group of subjects. The data support the view that in most patients with "idiopathic hirsutism" there is no enzymatic limitation to cortisol synthesis. Increased adrenal androgen production in these patients appears to be usually accompanied by an increase in cortisol synthesis.