Urinary excretion of the cortisol metabolites 5α-THF, 5β-THF, α-cortol and β-cortol in non-diabetic (n = 155 for men, n = 161 for women) and diabetic patients (n = 21 for men and n = 20 for women) measured by GC-MS. The groups were matched for age and gender. Diabetic men excreted significantly more 5α-THF, 5β-THF and α-cortol as compared to control men. β-cortol was not significantly changed between diabetic and non-diabetic men. Diabetic women excreted significantly more 5α-THF, 5β-THF, α-cortol and β-cortol as compared to control women. A) 5α-THF **p = 0.002 (men), **p = 0.0004 (women). B) 5β-THF *p = 0.013 (men), ***p<0.0001 (women). C) α-cortol *p = 0.013 (men), ***p<0.0001 (women). D) β-cortol ns (men), ***p<0.0001 (women). Kolmogorov-Smirnov test (non-parametric, unpaired). Dot blot is shown with Log (10) scale and steroid concentrations are displayed in ug/24h. White circles = control men, black circles = diabetic men, white squares = control women, black squares = diabetic women. *p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.0001, ns = not significant.