The SAS Centre was among the first of the Service and under the direction of Professor Roger Ekins offered assays for thyroid hormones. Assays for plasma renin activity and aldosterone (under the direction of Dr J D H Slater) and for arginine vasopressin (Dr. Mary Forsling) and urine steroids by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (Dr. J W Honour) were added over the next 10 years. Reagents for the plasma renin activity method were prepared in-house and shared with the 2 other centres offering that assay. The Middlesex Hospital became part of University College London Hospitals and although Professor Ekins had to withdraw from the SAS in 1992, the urine steroid profile service continued. In 2000 the designation for renin and aldosterone was restored. Dr G Rumsby was appointed Deputy Director in 2000.
The laboratory has an international reputation for steroid analysis and has published extensively on the clinical applications of the technique particularly in adrenal problems presenting in children. Other areas of interest include hypertension and oncology. Dr Rumsby has studied the molecular genetics of adrenal steroid biosynthetic defects and offer a service for prenatal diagnosis and carrier testing of congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Active research continues into the effects of inhaled steroids on adrenal function and into the relationship between birth weight and cardiovascular risk. Research is supported by industry, government agencies, the European Union and charities in UK and abroad.

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