Hair Analysis Provides A Historical Record Of Cortisol Levels In Cushing's Syndrome

    July 2009 in “ Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes ”
    Steven Thomson, Gideon Koren, Lisa-Ann Fraser, Michael Rieder, Theodore C. Friedman, Stan Van Uum
    TLDR Hair analysis can track past cortisol levels in Cushing's Syndrome patients.
    The study explored the use of hair analysis to measure historical cortisol levels in patients with Cushing's Syndrome (CS) and found that hair cortisol levels were significantly higher in CS patients compared to healthy controls. By analyzing 1 cm sections of hair, researchers could assess cortisol exposure over the previous 18 months, providing a historical record of hypercortisolism development. The study involved 6 female CS patients and 32 healthy volunteers, revealing that hair cortisol concentrations varied with the clinical course of the disease. The findings suggested that hair cortisol measurement could be a novel method for assessing systemic cortisol exposure over time, though further research was needed to understand its full potential and limitations.
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