False Elevation of Plasma 17-Hydroxycorticoids in Diabetic Ketosis

Plasma corticoids were measured by an acid-fluorescent method and a modification of the Porter-Silber reaction in diabetic patients under good control and in states of poor control including ketoacidosis. In patients with significant ketonemia the plasma ketone bodies may produce a falsely high estimation of adrenal corticoid secretion when measured as Porter-Silber chromogens. Evaporation of the plasma extract, or preferably use of the acid-fluorescent procedure, will obviate such interference.