ACTH stimulation test
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ACTH stim·u·la·tion test
a test for adrenal cortical function; ACTH administered by bolus, continuous intravenous infusion, or intramuscularly, evokes an increase in plasma cortisol in normal persons; in adrenal cortical insufficiency, the expected increase in plasma cortisol is limited or nonexistent.
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ACTH stimulation test
A test to determine the presence of adrenal insufficiency.
Synonym: Cortrosyn stimulation test; cosyntropin stimulation testPatient care
Synthetic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is injected intravenously, and the serum cortisol level is measured at timed intervals (30 or 60 min after the injection). A patient with normal adrenal function will respond to the test with increased serum cortisol levels above 18 µg/dl. Serum cortisol levels < 15 µg/dl are diagnostic of adrenal insufficiency. The test has been traditionally performed with an injection of 250 µg of ACTH, but studies have shown that 1 µg is an equally effective test dose.
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ACTH stim·u·la·tion test
(stimyū-lāshŭn test)Measurement of adrenal cortical function.
Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012