SALIVARY TESTOSTERONE: RELATIONSHIP TO UNBOUND PLASMA TESTOSTERONE IN NORMAL AND HYPERANDROGENIC WOMEN

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Abstract
SUMMARY: A sensitive radioimmunoassay (RIA) was used to measure salivary testosterone levels in normal women, in patients with polycystic ovaries (PCO), and in women with hirsutism. There was a highly significant correlation (r= 0·79, Pn= 14) and in those with hirsutism (13·9 ± 5·6 and 421 ± 170 pg/ml, n= 30) were significantly higher (Pn= 36). Treatment for 3 months with CA and EE resulted in a decrease (mean 68%) in salivary testosterone levels in all patients studied (n= 15), but the suppression of plasma testosterone (mean 34%) was not observed in all cases. It is concluded that measurement of salivary testosterone gives a useful indication of levels of biologically available androgen in hyperandrogenic women, before and during CA/EE therapy.