Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Blood Test Profile
Adrenocorticotropic hormone is ADH; a blood test gauges ACTH levels in the body.
• Chemicals guiding organs and cells are hormones.
Adrenal glands generate a hormone called ACTH.
• Affecting many areas of the body, cortisol, sometimes referred to as the “stress hormone,”
Together the pituitary gland, hypothalamus, and glandular glands control ACTH and cortisol levels; cortisol helps suppress redness, control metabolism and blood glucose, and maintain blood pressure.
Cushing’s illness, steroid use, adrenal gland tumours, and growths outside the pituitary gland can all influence, either high or low cortisol levels.
Addison disease, in which adrenal glands are damaged or hypopituitarism, in which the pituitary gland ceases to produce particular hormones, can cause low cortisol levels.
Together, ACTH and cortisol tests help identify potential causes of either too high or too low cortisol levels.
Description of the ACTH Test
• Normal cortisol levels found by the ACTH test by means of abnormalities.
• The test may also be required for hypopituitarism, which can be caused by a tumour and can cause headaches and eye problems;
• Oversaw high cortisol results in weight gain, thin arms and legs, increased fat around the neck or shoulder blades, and a round face;
• Oversaw low cortisol results in fatigue, weak muscles, inability to eat, weight loss, and abdominal pain.
Test Method for ACTH
Usually taken early in the morning when ACTH levels are highest, blood is drawn from an arm vein using a tiny needle.
• Usually administered in the morning, the test evaluates ACTH levels at their peak.
• Though most affects go away fast, the needle area can hurt or bleed.
Hazards & CarMeasures
Although the test does not cause any major risk, the needle area may bleed or pain . Should the test findings be aberrant, extra tests could be required.
Generally speaking, elevated ACTH and cortisol levels point to Cushing’s disease, including endocrine neoplasia, Cushing’s syndrome, and hypopituitarism.