ACTH血检

定义

The 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.

选择的名字

Serum adrenocorticotropic hormone; Adrenocorticotropic hormone; Highly-sensitive ACTH

How the Test is Performed

A 需要血液样本.

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.

考试的感觉如何

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. 这很快就会消失.

Why the Test is Performed

The main function of ACTH is to regulate the glucocorticoid (steroid) hormone cortisol. Cortisol is released by the 肾上腺. It regulates blood pressure, blood sugar, the immune system, and the response to stress.

This test can help find the causes of certain hormone problems.

正常的结果

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 (艾迪生疾病)
• Adrenal glands not producing enough hormones (congenital adrenal hyperplasia)
• One or more of the endocrine glands are overactive or have formed a tumor (multiple endocrine neoplasia type I)
• Pituitary is making too much ACTH (库欣病), which is usually caused by a non-cancerous tumor of the pituitary gland
• Rare type of tumor (lung, thyroid, or pancreas) making too much ACTH (异位库欣综合征)

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 (垂体机能减退)
• Tumor of the 肾上腺 that produces too much cortisol
• A normal response after taking the low-dose dexamethasone suppression test

风险

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:

• 大出血
• 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)

参考文献

Guber HA, Oprea M, Russell YX. Evaluation of endocrine function. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24日艾德. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 25.

Melmed年代. Pituitary masses and tumors. In: Melmed年代, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14日艾德. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 9.

Newell-Price JDC, Auchus RJ. 肾上腺皮质. In: Melmed年代, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14日艾德. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 15.