[Steroid-examinations in serum of old men as a functional testing of the suprarenal glands (author's transl)].

A surgical intervention is dangerous for the old patient awing to the reduced reactiveness and polymorbity. The knowledge of the function of the suprarenal glands in stress (operation) is important. The latent insufficiency of the suprarenal glands is determined with the ACTH-stimulations test. 136 patients from 60 to 100 years were proved. In the case of a latent insufficiency of the suprarenal glands the substitution of glucocorticoids and ACTH is necessary.