Abstract: Disclosed is a method for diagnosing inflammation in an animal which includes analyzing cells to assess glucocorticoid receptor binding affinity or glucocorticoid receptor number. A low binding affinity and high receptor number are each indicative of inflammation. Also disclosed is a method for treating inflammation in an animal, which inflammation causes glucocorticoid receptor alteration which includes suppressing the activity or expression of cytokines which, in the absence of suppression, alter glucocorticoid receptors. Also disclosed are methods for identifying Type II glucocorticoid receptor binding abnormality and for distinguishing Type I glucocorticoid receptor binding abnormalities from Type II. Further disclosed are treatments for steroid-resistant inflammatory disorders induced by IL-2 and IL-4 which are associated with glucocorticoid receptor binding abnormalities. The treatment includes administering an agent which is an IL-2 suppressor and/or an IL-4 suppressor.