Serum steroid hormone levels in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Dehydroepiandrosterone (D), D sulphate (DS), testosterone (T) and oestradiol (OE2) were determined by radioimmunoassay; cortisol (F) by a spectrofluorimetric method in the serum of 54 female patients with SLE. The values were evaluated in two age groups (32 patients with active ovarian function and 22 in menopause). The serum cortisol, T and DS levels were decreased, and there was no difference in that of free (unconjugated) D and OE2 concentrations compared to normal female subjects.