The “Taste” Test in Adrenal Insufficiency

Abstract

Two simple “taste” tests, with 2 mmoles/liter NaCl solution and with galvanic current, were performed in 33 cases of Addison's disease or hypopituitarism. The method with galvanic current (electrogustometry) proved to be very simple and of diagnostic importance, demonstrating taste hypersensitivity in all untreated patients and in a large majority of patients during a temporary break in cortisol administration. After cortisol therapy of the patients the taste hypersensitivity disappeared and the taste threshold was brought to normal. The taste test should be widely applied in diagnosing adrenal cortical insufficiency.