[Endocrine and ultrasound examination of hirsutism]

One hundred and fourteen nontumorous hirsute women were investigated. The degree of hirsutism, the menstrual abnormalities and the level of 17-ketosteroids, of DHEA, of 17-OH-corticoids in urine and RIA of total and free testosterone and of sex binding globulins (SHBG) in blood were performed. On the basis of endocrinological and ultrasonographic determinations 3 patients were diagnosed as congenital adrenal hyperplasia, 35 patients as late onset adrenal hyperplasia and 57 women as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO). The maximal mean level (X + SD) of total and free testosterone above 0.5 ng/ml relatively above 5.05 pg/ml were performed in 94.3% relatively 97.1% in late onset adrenal hyperplasia and in 78.9% relatively 87.7% in PCO. The diagnosis of PCO is possible among 75% of all hirsute patients after exclusion the patients with late onset adrenal hyperplasia. The PCO is confirmed by hormonal or/and ultrasonographic examination. The diagnosis of late onset adrenal hyperplasia is allowable only by hormonal investigation.