When your body needs to handle stress, your ACTH stimulation test, a medical procedure used to evaluate how well your adrenal glands produce cortisol in response to adrenocorticotropic hormone. Also known as cosyntropin test, it helps doctors figure out if your adrenal glands are working right—or if something’s wrong with your pituitary gland. This isn’t a routine checkup. It’s used when someone has unexplained fatigue, low blood pressure, or darkened skin—signs that your body might not be making enough cortisol.
The test works by giving you a small shot of synthetic ACTH, then measuring your cortisol levels, a hormone released by the adrenal glands that helps control metabolism, immune response, and stress before and after. If cortisol doesn’t rise enough, it points to adrenal insufficiency. If it rises too much, it could mean your pituitary is overworking. The pituitary gland, a pea-sized gland at the base of the brain that controls hormone signals to the adrenals is often the hidden player here. Many people don’t realize that adrenal problems can start with a pituitary glitch, not the adrenals themselves.
This test is often used when doctors suspect Addison’s disease, Cushing’s syndrome, or secondary adrenal failure. It’s faster and safer than older methods like the insulin tolerance test. You won’t need to fast overnight, but you might be asked to avoid certain medications beforehand—especially steroids. The whole thing takes about an hour. Blood is drawn twice: once before the shot, and again 30 to 60 minutes after. No needles in the spine. No sedation. Just a simple pinch and a wait.
What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t just theory. Real cases. Real mistakes. Real guidance. You’ll read about how misreading cortisol results leads to wrong diagnoses, how steroid use can mask adrenal problems, and why some patients are told they’re fine when they’re not. You’ll also see how this test connects to other hormone checks, like thyroid and DHEA levels, and why skipping it can delay real treatment. Whether you’re a patient wondering why your doctor ordered it, or a caregiver trying to understand the results, this collection gives you the facts without the fluff.
Posted by Ian SInclair On 18 Nov, 2025 Comments (3)
Long-term steroid use suppresses natural cortisol production. Learn how ACTH stimulation testing guides safe tapering, prevents adrenal crisis, and helps your adrenals recover properly after months or years of glucocorticoid therapy.
