high acth and cortisol

Hello!  I'm a 26 year old, otherwise healthy female.  I recently had blood work done because of neck and back pain I've been experiencing.  My blood tests indicated high ACTH and cortisol.  I've taken two 24 hour urine tests for cortisol that came out normal.  My doctor ruled out Cushing's disease.  He wants me to get cortisol and acth tested again.  Is that really necessary if both cortisol tests were normal?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

24h urine tests are more sensitive than random blood tests -- would ask your endocrinologist why more blood testing is necessary.  Sometimes stress can cause high blood ACTH and cortisol.