[Diagnosis of hypothyroidism with the use of a differential-diagnosis mathematical table]

The function of insular apparatus beta-cells and individual components of the contrainsular system were studied in 53 young patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. It was shown that early stages of the disease, including potential diabetes mellitus, are characterized by hyperinsulinemia, associated with an increased adrenocortical glucocorticoid function. Relative insulin insufficiency develops as diabetes progresses (subclinical stage of the disease) in the presence of persisting hyperinsulinemia and increasing aldosteronemia. An intensified adrenocortical function appears to be of an adaptive character at the preclinical stages of the disease. The concept of hormonal dissimilarity of the known forms of diabetes mellitus is documented with reference to the insulin-dependent forms in young subjects.