Measurement of glucocorticoids in biological fluids.

The background to the physiological production of glucocorticoids is described as well as their concentrations in some biological fluids. Detailed methods are described for the collection, storage, and preparation of samples and for the immunoassay techniques for some common steroids in serum, urine, and saliva. Alternative methods (high-performance liquid chromatography, gas-liquid chromatography, Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) that have greater specificity and/or sensitivity are also discussed, together with automated procedures able to analyse large numbers of samples rapidly. Information and references are presented on the analysis of less commonly measured glucocorticoids, including synthetic steroids such as dexamethasone and prednisolone.