ACTH stiumulation test

[NBRyan113]

Endo ordered ACTH stimulation test due to low cortisol of 6.8. On test day the base line was 7 and after 60 minutes it was 25.8, would this result indicate Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency?

[rumpled]

What are the symptoms? There is an entity called cyclical Cushing's - it would cause high and low cortisol - so you would get the worst of both worlds. High cortisol and low cause fatigue (*****!) and have a lot of weird things that cause you to have weird blood pressure issues and glucose issues - but not everyone.

I had it - and I know others that some get super low and some super high and super low. Have you lost a ton of weight, or gained? Have you had any other cortisol, ACTH or any other pituitary testing? Other hormones? Thyroid?

[roadracer]

Hi, Was a ACTH stim test with a reference range Adult 4.0-22.0
Thought it was high but the Doc she said it was just fine.
Had other blood work done 6/010 and my cortisol was 5.44 on a scale of 8.7-22 but that blood work was taking at 7.40 PM. showed that to the other doc and he sent me for the stim test and to see this Endo who said it was just fine.

[rumpled]

Well, you started in a normal range, and you stayed in normal range. You really should have either dipped or gone up given the stim agent - but you just stayed the course, again, in the normal range. So they are going to call it normal. In fact, by my labs, that is a high reading - so I am not sure what lab you are using.

However, you can be borderline and drop later - so if your doc is smart, he will monitor and re-do the test... but few are smart!

[roadracer]

I had the ACTH test, baseline 28.7, 30 minutes later 25.1,  60 minutes later 28.4
Endo sad this was just fine???? Dont seem to find any results like this on the net.
Time for second opond????

[rumpled]

Call the office and ask for a copy of the tests. Once you get a copy, look at them - often docs read them wrong - so you may be able to go to another doctor. Also, you may pass the test even if you are sick but you may fail soon but the doc may just be a numbers guy - so just get a copy from the doc or the lab and find another doctor.

[Sadielloyd98]

I had a cortisone test done before and my level to start was 50 so the endo sent me for a ACTH test short sint. He then wrote to me and said no need to be seen again. I didn't even know my results of the ACTH. I've been suffering for the last 2 year with fatigue, weAkness, stress, sickness and stomach cramps I've lost 3 jobs over it I've picked up shingles, had pneumonia and I get Ill constant i just want to know whAts wrong there must be something wrong for my levels to be so low In the first place anyone recommend something or tell me what it could be cause the doctors are hopeless!!!