Determination and evaluation of the steroid hormone spectrum in selected endocrinopathies

Introduction: Steroid hormones produced in the adrenal cortex are essential for the adaptation to changes in both the external and internal environment. Evaluation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function is based on the assessment of basal hormone levels and their changes in dynamic tests. Routinely used immunoassay-based methods used for the determination of steroid hormones generally exhibit lower analytical accuracy. Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is a highly precise analytical technique that enables the simultaneous quantification of a broad spectrum of steroid hormones within a single run analysis. The use of LC-MS/MS in the diagnostics and follow-up of patients with HPA axis disorders allows for more accurate sample evaluation and provides a better understanding of the pathophysiology underlying these conditions. Patients and Methods: The study included 73 patients (49 women and 24 men) aged 24-82 years (median 59.5 years) and 100 healthy control subjects (61 women and 39 men) aged 19- 78 years (median 40 years). All the subjects underwent dexamethason suppresion test with 1 mg of dexamethasone. Total cortisol concentrations in all participants were determined by chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) and by LC-MS/MS. Steroid hormone profile and...