Routine multipurpose gas chromatographic assay for urinary corticosteroids.

THE USE OF A ROUTINE ASSAY FOR URINARY STEROIDS IS DESCRIBED THAT IS THOUGHT TO SATISFY THE FOLLOWING NEEDS: the measurement of low levels of 17-hydroxycorticosteroid excretion; the assessment of adrenocortical activity during prednisolone therapy; the diagnosis of the adrenogenital syndrome and the monitoring of its treatment using any available urine specimen; the very early diagnosis of pregnancy using any available urine specimen. It may also prove of value in the assessment of progesterone secretion and metabolism during pregnancy.