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24-Hour Blood Serum Cortisol Test & The ACTH Challenge Test

Hello,

I would like to know about these tests.  

What things are looked at in these tests (ex. DHEA, Cortisol, etc.)?  Is it any different for the 24 Hour URINE?

Are these both done at a hospital?  Do you sleep overnight?

What do you have to say to get your doctor to order these?

Would you have to have each written on individual lab sheets, or can they be on one lab sheet, but performed on different days?

Thank you sooooo much.





Here's some info I came across:


Request that your physician order a 24-hour blood serum cortisol test. Blood samples are taken at four specific times during a 24 hour period, and evaluated for cortisol and other adrenal hormone levels. This test can be invasive and often inconvenient, but equally as accurate as the saliva test.


Test your adrenal gland function by performing an adrenocorticotropic, or ACTH, stimulation test. This evaluates the ability of the adrenal gland to respond and produce cortisol when prompted. A blood sample is drawn to measure cortisol level. Then you are given an intramuscular injection of an adrenal gland stimulator called ACTH. Blood samples are drawn 30 minutes and 60 minutes after injection to measure the response of the adrenal gland. Insufficient output of cortisol produced by the adrenal glands after ACTH injection indicates Addison's Disease, also known as adrenal insufficiency.
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Avatar universal
Note: Metyrapone is in-patient, overnight.

The Metyrapone and the Insulin-Tolerance Test carry the risk of Adrenal Crisis, because of decreasing cortisol levels.
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Avatar universal
Well, it turns out that they do have to be written on separate lab sheets if you are doing them on different days.

The ACTH Stim test is out-patient, usually with an IV Nurse, and it requires an appointment.

I don't know anything more about 24hour serum cortisol.

Metyrapone Test is Overnight.

Insulin Tolerance Test is out-patient with an attending medical person.

I'm not too keen on saliva testing because MD's don't tend to consider them diagnostic.  The same with the 24 hour urine.
Helpful - 0
393685 tn?1425812522
You found some great information on the medical labs done. These blood labs are the only form of finding a critical illness with the adrenals and do not measure or see anything else except those 2 adrenal conditions.

If a fatigue or weak adrenal issue is happening many patients go toward a saliva test to best determine if there could be concern with the adrenals in fatigue issues.
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