endocrine and metabolic disorders
Adrenal Virilism
Diagnosis of Adrenal Virilism
Testosterone Other adrenal androgens (dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA] and its sulfate [DHEAS], androstenedione) 17-hydroxyprogesterone Dexamethasonesuppression test Sometimes adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test Adrenal imaging may also occur in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) (Stein-Leventhal syndrome). Adrenal virilism is confirmed by showing elevated levels of adrenal androgens. (synthetic ACTH) 0.25 mg IM strongly suggests the most common form of adrenal hyperplasia, which is Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Caused by 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency . Virilizing tumors are excluded ifdexamethasone0.5 mg orally every 6 hours for 48 hours suppresses production of excess androgens. If excessive androgen excretion is not suppressed, CT or MRI of the adrenals and ultrasonography of the ovaries are done to search for a tumor. 