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The free cortisol index.

T G Brien1, D J Hingerty1

  • 1Department of Pathology and Biochemistry, University College, Dublin.

Irish Journal of Medical Science
|August 13, 2016
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This summary is machine-generated.

The Free Cortisol Index (FCI) measures active cortisol. FCI values align with total cortisol in adrenal disease and show normal diurnal patterns, confirming its utility in assessing cortisol activity.

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Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Clinical Chemistry

Background:

  • Cortisol is a vital hormone.
  • Measuring free cortisol is important for assessing adrenal function.
  • Existing methods may have limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the development of the Free Cortisol Index (FCI).
  • To evaluate FCI as an indirect measure of free, metabolically active cortisol.
  • To compare FCI with total plasma cortisol in various conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Development of the Free Cortisol Index (FCI) assay.
  • Measurement of FCI in normal subjects, patients with non-adrenal disease, and patients with adrenal disease.
  • Assessment of diurnal variation and ACTH response of FCI.
  • Evaluation of FCI during pregnancy.

Main Results:

  • FCI values were similar to normal subjects in patients with non-adrenal disease.
  • FCI values correlated with total plasma cortisol in adrenal disease.
  • FCI demonstrated diurnal variation and ACTH responsiveness comparable to total plasma cortisol.
  • A significant rise in FCI was observed during pregnancy.

Conclusions:

  • The Free Cortisol Index is a reliable indirect measure of free cortisol.
  • FCI reflects cortisol activity in various physiological and pathological states.
  • FCI supports the understanding of hyperadrenocorticalism in pregnancy.