ACTH

Test Details

What is this test?

ACTH test is performed to measure the level of Adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol in the blood to detect diseases including Cushing syndrome, adrenal insufficiency, adrenal tumors, and pituitary tumors that are associated with unbalanced cortisol in the body.

What does the test measure?

ACTH test measures Adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol levels in your blood.

How to prepare for the test?

The lab technician may ask you to fast overnight before the day of testing. If you take steroids, it is better to avoid them up to 48 hours before the test. Have a sound sleep and refrain from overeating after midnight A blood sample is drawn from a vein of your arm in the early morning.

What does the test result mean?

Normal values of ACTH are 9-52 picograms/ milliliter. A higher level of ACTH than the normal range can indicate Addison's disease, Cushing’s disease or adrenal hyperplasia. On the other hand, a lower level of ACTH may be a sign of adrenal tumor or hypopituitarism.