Additional value of measurement of urinary cortisone and unconjugated cortisol metabolites in assessing the activity of 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase <i>in vivo</i>

Abstract

Measurement of free cortisol and cortisone in urine provides the most sensitive index of renal 11 beta-HSD activity. Measurement of total and conjugated urinary steroids is insensitive in circumstances where 11 beta-HSD activity in liver or elsewhere may be abnormal.