What is an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) test?
This test determines the level of of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in the blood.ACTH will be a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, a small gland to the brain cause ACTH continues to control the production of another gland hormone called cortisol. Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands, two small glands located above the kidneys. Cortisol plays a powerful role in helping you
- To respond to stress
- infection
- Regulate blood sugar levels
- Keeps your blood pressure up to date
- Regulates the body’s processes use food and energy
Too much or too little cortisol can cause serious health problems.
Other names: adrenocorticotrop. hormone Blood test, corticotrophin.
What is it used for?
ACTH tests are often combined with cortisol tests to diagnose pituitary or adrenal gland disease. These include
- Cushing’s syndrome is a disease in which the adrenal glands produce very large amounts of cortisol. This can be caused by a pituitary tumor or by steroid use. Steroids are used to treat inflammation but may have side effects that affect the degree of cortisol.
- Cushing’s disease, a component of Cushing’s syndrome. Cushing’s disease is usually caused by a noncancerous tumor of the pituitary gland. The tumor produces very large amounts of ACTH. As a result, the adrenal glands produce very large amounts of cortisol.
- Addison’s disease – a condition in which the adrenals produce too little cortisol.
- Pituitary – a condition in which the pituitary gland does not produce enough of some or all of the following substances its hormones .
Why is an ACTH test needed?
You may need this test if you have symptoms of very high cortisol or very low cortisol.
Symptoms of very high cortisol include
- Weight gain
- Fat accumulation in the upper arms
- Pink or purple stretch marks (lines) on the abdomen, thighs, or chest
- Skin that happens to be bruised
- Increased body hair
- Muscle weakness
- Fatigue
- acne
Symptoms of cortisol deficiency include
- weight loss
- nausea and vomiting
- diarrhea
- abdominal pain
- Dizziness
- Darkening from skin
- Craving for salt
- Fatigue
If you have signs of hypopituitarism, this test may still be necessary. The draw will depend on the severity of the disease, but there is a good chance they are the right ones.
- Decreased appetite
- Irregular menstruation and infertility in women
- Loss of body and facial hair in men
- Reduced sexual passion in men and women
- Sensitivity to cold
- Peeing more frequently than usual
- Fatigue
What does the ACTH test show?
The physician takes blood from a vein in your arm with a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood is collected in a test tube or vial. You will feel some pressure as the needle goes in and out. This usually takes less than 5 minutes.
Do I need to prepare for the test?
You may need to fast the night before the test (do not eat or drink). The test is usually performed in the early afternoon. This is because cortisol levels change during the day.
Are there any risks associated with the test?
There are considerable risks associated with blood testing. There will be slight soreness and bruising in the area where the needle is inserted, but most signs disappear quickly.
What do the results mean?
ACTH test results are often compared to cortisol results and may indicate one of the appropriate results.
- High ACTH and increased cortisol: this may mean Cushing’s disease.
- Low ACTH and increased cortisol: this may indicate Cushing’s or adrenal tumor syndrome.
- High ACTH and low cortisol: this may mean Addison’s disease.
- Low ACTH and low cortisol. This could mean pituitaryism.
If you have questions about your results, talk to your own health care provider.
Is there anything else I should know about the ACTH test?
A test called the ACTH Stimulation Test is sometimes used in place of the ACTH test; the ACTH Stimulation Test is a blood test that determines cortisol levels before and after receiving an ACTH injection.
It is supplied by MedlinePlus from the State Medical Library.
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