The excretion of free cortisol, cortisone, cortisol sulfate and cortisone sulfate in peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus and hyperthyroidism.

In four groups of persons, 1/healthy individuals, 2/ patients with diabetes mellitus, 3/ patients with peripheral vascular disease, and 4/ patients with hyperthyroidism, the urinary excretion of free cortisol, cortisone, cortisol sulfate and cortisone sulfate was estimated. In groups 2 and 3 the excretion of all four substances was elevated. In hyperthyroidism a preponderance of free cortisone over cortisol was registered. The ratios of the followed substances suggest in patients with peripheral vascular disease a detoriation in the normal excretion of the followed corticoids, based on a preponderance of 11-OH-corticosteroids over their 11-oxo-derivatives. This observation could be implicated in the mild hyperglycemia or decreased glucose tolerance, that is often found in atherosclerotic disease.