[Laboratory monitoring of therapy in Addison's disease]

Views on the usefulness of monitoring of substitution therapy in Addison's disease by hormonal laboratory indicators are controversial. The authors analysed the problem therefore in a group of 20 of their own patients. It was revealed that the adequacy of substitution of the cortisol deficiency can be very readily evaluated by diurnal profiles of cortisolaemia. The values of plasma ACTH provided less information, but were not unreliable. Assessment of free urinary cortisol did not prove useful. The adequacy of substitution of aldosterone deficiency reflected sensitively the plasma renin activity.

monitoring by hormonal indicators is useful, basic means are the diurnal profile of cortisolaemia and the plasma renin activity.