Testosterone Metabolism in Idiopathic Hirsutism

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Abstract
Thirty-five cases of various pathologic adrenal and ovarian conditions were studied in an attempt to define the uses and limitations of urinary testosterone determinations in cases of idiopathic hirsutism. Fifteen control patients were similarly studied. A scheme of selective adrenal and ovarian testing by stimulation and suppression was used and testosterone, 17-KS [17-ketosteroids], 17-OHCS [17-hydroxycorticosteroids], and pregnanetriol levels were measured at appropriate times during the study sequence. The standard 17-KS and pregnanetriol measurements remain the most useful tools for the study of syndromes of adrenal androgen excess. Determinations of urinary testosterone may uncover cases of ovarian dyssteroidogenesis not revealed by other tests. A significant number of patients with idiopathic hirsutism have no abnormality in androge metabolism detectable by elevation of either 17-KS or testosterone excretion as measured by the methods reported here.

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