Corticosteroid Excretion in Normal Young Adults Living Under “Basal” Conditions

Abstract

Under basal conditions in a hospital setting, mean 17-OHCS excretion for normal 18- to 25-year-old males and females was 8.5 (13.3-5.5) and 5.1 mg/day (8.6-3.0), respectively. Weight "correction" did not abolish this significant sex difference; it did alter somewhat the rank-order of "high" to "low" 17-OHCS excretors. Values for males were about 50% higher than those reported in outpatient studies. Subjects tended to be relatively consistent in 17-OHCS excretion, although individuals varied. On coed wards, girls excreted approximately 30% more 17-OHCS per day than on all-girl wards, a significant difference probably related to psychological tension.