Assessment of adrenal endocrine function in Asian thalassemics.

Adrenal endocrine function was assessed in a cohort of 20 patients, between 10 and 20 years of age, with transfusion dependent beta thalassemia. Cortisol levels were assayed before and after ACTH stimulation with 1 micrograms and 250 micrograms. Adrenal dysfunction was defined as a basal cortisol of greater than 400 nmol/L and/or peak cortisol levels of greater than 500 nmol/L.