ACTHsäätötestejä

ACTH stimulation testing, known in Finnish as ACTH-säätötestejä, is a medical diagnostic procedure used to assess the function of the adrenal glands, specifically their ability to produce cortisol. This test helps in diagnosing conditions such as Addison's disease (adrenal insufficiency) and Cushing's syndrome. The test involves administering a synthetic form of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) intravenously and then measuring cortisol levels in the blood at specific intervals. ACTH is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates the adrenal glands to release cortisol.

During a standard ACTH stimulation test, a baseline blood sample is drawn to measure the initial cortisol level. Then, a synthetic ACTH analog, cosyntropin, is injected. Subsequent blood samples are taken at predetermined times, typically 30 and 60 minutes after the injection, to monitor the adrenal glands' response. If the adrenal glands are functioning properly, cortisol levels should rise significantly after ACTH administration. A blunted or absent rise in cortisol suggests adrenal insufficiency, meaning the adrenal glands are not responding adequately to ACTH stimulation. Conversely, excessively high cortisol levels, even after stimulation, might indicate conditions like Cushing's syndrome, although further tests are usually needed for a definitive diagnosis. The test is generally safe, with minimal side effects. It is an essential tool in endocrinology for evaluating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.