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Table 3 Outline of the three different modes of hydrocortisone replacement in healthy individuals under metyrapone administration

From: Effects of the pattern of glucocorticoid replacement on neural processing, emotional reactivity and well-being in healthy male individuals: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Time of day

Per os

SC continuous

SC pulsatile

00:00

 

0.1 mg/hour

0.5 mg

01:00

  

02:00

 

2 mg/hour

 

03:00

 

4 mg

04:00

  

05:00

  

06:00

 

4 mg

07:00

After waking up (10 mg)

 

08:00

 

1 mg/hour

 

09:00

 

4 mg

10:00

  

11:00

  

12:00

 

0.4 mg/hour

2.3 mg

13:00

During lunch (5 mg)

 

14:00

  

15:00

 

2.3 mg

16:00

  

17:00

  

18:00

 

2.3 mg

19:00

During dinner (5 mg)

 

20:00

 

0.1 mg/hour

 

21:00

 

0.5 mg

22:00

  

23:00

  
  1. The last two modes involve the subcutaneous (SC) delivery of hydrocortisone via a pump; the continuous pump (Animas® Vibe™ Insulin Pump) is programmed to constantly deliver hydrocortisone but with a changing flow rate throughout the day. The pulsatile pump (Crono P®, CANE Applied Medical Technology Ltd, Cambridge, UK) is programmed to deliver a certain amount of hydrocortisone every three hours with a rhythm of 10 μL/s [22]