CRHstimulaatiotesti

CRHstimulaatiotesti, also known as the corticotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test, is a diagnostic procedure used to assess the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This test specifically evaluates the adrenal glands' response to stimulation by corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). CRH is produced in the hypothalamus and stimulates the pituitary gland to release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). ACTH, in turn, signals the adrenal glands to produce cortisol.

The test is typically performed by administering synthetic CRH intravenously. Blood samples are then collected at specific intervals after the injection to measure the levels of ACTH and cortisol. A normal response involves a rise in both ACTH and cortisol levels following CRH administration. An exaggerated or blunted response can indicate various endocrine disorders.

This test is primarily used in the diagnosis of Cushing's disease, a condition characterized by the overproduction of cortisol, often due to a pituitary adenoma. It can help differentiate between different causes of Cushing's syndrome. It may also be used in the investigation of adrenal insufficiency, although other stimulation tests, such as the ACTH stimulation test, are more common for this purpose. Interpretation of the CRH stimulation test requires careful consideration of the patient's clinical presentation and other laboratory findings.