Objective To explore the clinical significance of changes on serum cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH) in impaired glucose regulation and type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Methods Subjects were divided into three groups;IGR group (IGT and/or IFG) , DM2 group and control group, compare with cortisol and ACTH concentration at 8:00,24:00 in twice IGR group subdivision IGT group and IFG group, with DM2 group compare to Cortisol and ACTH levels at 8:00, 24:00 in twice concentration. Results ①The serum levels of 8:00,24:00 in twice cortisol and ACTH in IGR and DM2 diabetics presented all remarkably higher than those in control group( P< 0.01 orP< 0.05) ;② The serum levels of 8:00 cortisol and ACTH in DM2 group showed all significantly lower than the of IGT and IFG group(P< 0.01 or P< 0.05 );③ The serum level of Cortisol manifested all positively correlated with ACTH in impaired glucose regulation and type 2 diabetes pan'ents(r = 0.4002,0.4231, P<0.05). Conclusion Cortisol and ACTH secretion rise in DM2 and IGR group, which suggests have regulated distubance of the HPA axis,HPA function exhaustion might be associated with the progression of disease.