What is Synacthen?
Synacthen is a manufactured drug that acts like ACTH by stimulating the adrenal gland to produce more cortisol. By measuring the rise in cortisol in the blood the doctor can see if the adrenal glands are secreting normal amounts of cortisol and the pituitary gland normal amounts of ACTH.
What is Synacthen injection used for?
Synacthen is given as an injection into a muscle or vein. Synacthen is used as a diagnostic test to find out if the adrenal glands, small glands next to the kidneys, are working as well as they should.
How is a Synacthen test performed?
A blood test is taken from a vein in your arm to measure cortisol. You will be given an injection of synacthen, which stimulates the adrenal glands to produce Cortisol. You will wait in the waiting room for 30 minutes. A final blood test will be taken for cortisol, this completes the test.
What is a positive Synacthen test?
Result Interpretation A cortisol of >420nmol/L at 30 minutes post Synacthen indicates an adequate adrenal response. Failure to meet the above criteria indicates probable Addison’s disease or very marked adrenal atrophy secondary to prolonged absence of ACTH stimulation.
What is Tetracosactrin used for?
Synacthen is used as a diagnostic test to find out if the adrenal glands, small glands next to the kidneys, are working as well as they should. The Synacthen test is given as a single injection into the muscle. Synacthen is used as a test only. It is not used to treat poorly functioning adrenal glands.
What does ACTH hormone do?
ACTH is a hormone made by the pituitary gland, a small gland at the base of the brain. ACTH controls the production of another hormone called cortisol. Cortisol is made by the adrenal glands, two small glands located above the kidneys.
What is another name for Synacthen?
What is a synacthen test? A synacthen test uses a special chemical to test how well your adrenal glands make a chemical (hormone) called cortisol. It involves stimulating the adrenal glands and then checking to see if they respond. Synacthen is another name for tetracosactide, the chemical used in the test.
When should Synacthen test be done?
Ideally, the test is performed between 08:00 and 10:00am. Admission is only required for SST if at risk of Addisonian crisis (virtually never), however synacthen is designated a “red” drug on the BNSGG formulary so referral is necessary locally. 1.
Does a Synacthen test hurt?
There are usually no side-effects from a synacthen test apart from a small bruise which may appear at the place where the needle was inserted. Rarely, your vein used to take the blood may become swollen; this usually settles within a few days.
What is a normal ACTH stimulation test?
Normal Results Cortisol level after ACTH stimulation should be higher than 18 to 20 mcg/dL or 497 to 552 nmol/L, depending on the dose of ACTH used. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or may test different specimens.