BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuACTH blood testSerum adrenocorticotropic hormone; Adrenocorticotropic hormone; Highly-sensitive ACTHThe ACTH test measures the level of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in the blood. ACTH is a hormone released from the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. How the Test is Performed A blood sample is needed.Blood sample is neededVenipuncture is the collection of blood from a vein. It is most often done for laboratory testing.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article How to Prepare for the Test Your health care provider will likely ask you to have the test done early in the morning. This is important because cortisol level varies throughout the day.You may also be told to stop taking medicines that can affect the test results. These medicines include glucocorticoids such as prednisone, hydrocortisone, or dexamethasone. Do not stop these medicines unless instructed by your provider. How the Test will Feel When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or slight bruising. This soon goes away. Why the Test is Performed The main function of ACTH is to regulate the glucocorticoid (steroid) hormone cortisol. Cortisol is released by the adrenal gland. It regulates blood pressure, blood sugar, the immune system, and the response to stress.Adrenal glandThe adrenal glands are two small triangle-shaped glands in the upper abdomen. One gland is located on top of each kidney.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article This test can help find the causes of certain hormone problems. Normal Results Normal values for a blood sample taken early in the morning are 9 to 52 pg/mL (2 to 11 pmol/L).Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or may test different specimens. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results. What Abnormal Results Mean A higher-than-normal level of ACTH may indicate:Adrenal glands not producing enough cortisol (Addison disease) Addison diseaseAddison disease is a disorder that causes the adrenal glands to not produce enough hormones.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Adrenal glands not producing enough hormones (congenital adrenal hyperplasia) Congenital adrenal hyperplasiaCongenital adrenal hyperplasia is the name given to a group of inherited disorders of the adrenal gland. Inherited means the traits are passed down ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article One or more of the endocrine glands are overactive or have formed a tumor (multiple endocrine neoplasia type I) Multiple endocrine neoplasia type IMultiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type I is a disease in which one or more of the endocrine glands are overactive or forms a tumor. It is passed do...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pituitary is making too much ACTH (Cushing disease), which is usually caused by a non-cancerous tumor of the pituitary gland Cushing diseaseCushing disease is a condition in which the pituitary gland releases too much adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). The pituitary gland is an organ of...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Rare type of tumor (lung, thyroid, or pancreas) making too much ACTH (ectopic Cushing syndrome) Ectopic Cushing syndromeEctopic Cushing syndrome is a form of Cushing syndrome in which a tumor outside the pituitary gland produces a hormone called adrenocorticotropic hor...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A lower-than-normal level of ACTH may indicate:Glucocorticoid medicines are suppressing ACTH production (most common) Pituitary gland not producing enough hormones, such as ACTH (hypopituitarism) HypopituitarismHypopituitarism is a condition in which the pituitary gland does not produce normal amounts of some or all of its hormones.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tumor of the adrenal gland that produces too much cortisol Tumor of the adrenal glandCushing syndrome due to adrenal tumor is a form of Cushing syndrome. It occurs when a tumor of the adrenal gland releases excess amounts of the horm...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A normal response after taking the low-dose dexamethasone suppression test Risks There is little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:Excessive bleeding Fainting or feeling lightheaded Multiple punctures to locate veins Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin) Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken) Open ReferencesReferencesGuber HA, Oprea M, Russell YX. Evaluation of endocrine function. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 25.Melmed S. Pituitary masses and tumors. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 9.Newell-Price JDC, Auchus RJ. The adrenal cortex. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 15.AllVideoImagesTogEndocrine glands - illustration Endocrine glands release hormones (chemical messengers) into the bloodstream to be transported to various organs and tissues throughout the body. For instance, the pancreas secretes insulin, which allows the body to regulate levels of sugar in the blood. The thyroid gets instructions from the pituitary to secrete hormones which determine the rate of metabolism in the body (the more hormone in the bloodstream, the faster the chemical activity; the less hormone, the slower the activity).Endocrine glandsillustrationEndocrine glands - illustration Endocrine glands release hormones (chemical messengers) into the bloodstream to be transported to various organs and tissues throughout the body. For instance, the pancreas secretes insulin, which allows the body to regulate levels of sugar in the blood. The thyroid gets instructions from the pituitary to secrete hormones which determine the rate of metabolism in the body (the more hormone in the bloodstream, the faster the chemical activity; the less hormone, the slower the activity).Endocrine glandsillustration Tests for ACTH blood test ACTH blood testACTH stimulation testDexamethasone suppression testCortisol blood testCortisol urine test17-hydroxycorticosteroids urine testTotal iron binding capacity17-OH progesteroneHormone levelsRelated Information Addison disease(Condition)Adrenoleukodystrophy(Condition)Cushing disease(Condition)Ectopic Cushing syndrome(Condition)Cushing syndrome due to adrenal tumor(Condition)Cushing syndrome(Condition)Hypopituitarism(Condition)Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) I(Condition) Review Date: 5/13/2023 Reviewed By: Sandeep K. Dhaliwal, MD, board-certified in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Springfield, VA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
ACTH blood testSerum adrenocorticotropic hormone; Adrenocorticotropic hormone; Highly-sensitive ACTHThe ACTH test measures the level of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in the blood. ACTH is a hormone released from the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. How the Test is Performed A blood sample is needed.Blood sample is neededVenipuncture is the collection of blood from a vein. It is most often done for laboratory testing.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article How to Prepare for the Test Your health care provider will likely ask you to have the test done early in the morning. This is important because cortisol level varies throughout the day.You may also be told to stop taking medicines that can affect the test results. These medicines include glucocorticoids such as prednisone, hydrocortisone, or dexamethasone. Do not stop these medicines unless instructed by your provider. How the Test will Feel When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or slight bruising. This soon goes away. Why the Test is Performed The main function of ACTH is to regulate the glucocorticoid (steroid) hormone cortisol. Cortisol is released by the adrenal gland. It regulates blood pressure, blood sugar, the immune system, and the response to stress.Adrenal glandThe adrenal glands are two small triangle-shaped glands in the upper abdomen. One gland is located on top of each kidney.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article This test can help find the causes of certain hormone problems. Normal Results Normal values for a blood sample taken early in the morning are 9 to 52 pg/mL (2 to 11 pmol/L).Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or may test different specimens. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results. What Abnormal Results Mean A higher-than-normal level of ACTH may indicate:Adrenal glands not producing enough cortisol (Addison disease) Addison diseaseAddison disease is a disorder that causes the adrenal glands to not produce enough hormones.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Adrenal glands not producing enough hormones (congenital adrenal hyperplasia) Congenital adrenal hyperplasiaCongenital adrenal hyperplasia is the name given to a group of inherited disorders of the adrenal gland. Inherited means the traits are passed down ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article One or more of the endocrine glands are overactive or have formed a tumor (multiple endocrine neoplasia type I) Multiple endocrine neoplasia type IMultiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type I is a disease in which one or more of the endocrine glands are overactive or forms a tumor. It is passed do...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pituitary is making too much ACTH (Cushing disease), which is usually caused by a non-cancerous tumor of the pituitary gland Cushing diseaseCushing disease is a condition in which the pituitary gland releases too much adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). The pituitary gland is an organ of...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Rare type of tumor (lung, thyroid, or pancreas) making too much ACTH (ectopic Cushing syndrome) Ectopic Cushing syndromeEctopic Cushing syndrome is a form of Cushing syndrome in which a tumor outside the pituitary gland produces a hormone called adrenocorticotropic hor...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A lower-than-normal level of ACTH may indicate:Glucocorticoid medicines are suppressing ACTH production (most common) Pituitary gland not producing enough hormones, such as ACTH (hypopituitarism) HypopituitarismHypopituitarism is a condition in which the pituitary gland does not produce normal amounts of some or all of its hormones.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tumor of the adrenal gland that produces too much cortisol Tumor of the adrenal glandCushing syndrome due to adrenal tumor is a form of Cushing syndrome. It occurs when a tumor of the adrenal gland releases excess amounts of the horm...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A normal response after taking the low-dose dexamethasone suppression test Risks There is little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:Excessive bleeding Fainting or feeling lightheaded Multiple punctures to locate veins Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin) Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken) Open ReferencesReferencesGuber HA, Oprea M, Russell YX. Evaluation of endocrine function. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 25.Melmed S. Pituitary masses and tumors. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 9.Newell-Price JDC, Auchus RJ. The adrenal cortex. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 15.