[The rational application of endocrinological and radiological methods in the differential diagnosis of hirsutism in women (author's transl)].

The intensity and duration of the clinical symptoms and signs determine the type and spectrum of the necessary and essential diagnostic measures in women with signs of hirsutism. Women with specific disease entities and women who desire pregnancy are in a different category. When severe signs of adrogenization (virilism) and obvious progression are noted the hormones testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (T and DS) must be determined in the peripheral blood. When the peripheral testosterone value exceeds 1.5 ng/ml and when the peripheraldihydroepiandrosterone value exceeds 7000 ng/ml the existence of a virilizing tumour must be excluded as soon as possible. The exclusion or localization of a small androgen producing tumour can be achieved with the greatest certainty with selective catherization. In patients with mild androgenization a specific diagnostic work-up is not necessary.