How to prepare for short synacthen test?

[Ctb567]

I already know not to take any meds on the day of the test but what other stuff should I do to prepare?

My test is at 8:15, or at least thats my appointment time. Will I be able to have my breakfast at 6 or should I not eat anything? I'm not sure if they are taking blood or saliva, I would guess blood.

Thanks!

[Psycho1]

I am happy one in a couple of weeks. You can eat breakfast and it is blood that is taken.

[Angel_of_the_North]

Take tissues. I cried non-stop during mine. No idea why.

[Ctb567 in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Thanks for the reply, I had my test and luckily no crying! It all went fine. Do you remember how long it took you to get your results? I asked the nurses and they didn't seem to have a clue

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Ctb567]

Well, I wasn't very clued up when I had it, so I never got the actual results. The nurse said: "Oh, there's something not right there" right at th end of the test. Te the next thing I knew I was off for brain scan, ECG and Insulin stress test. So, almost immediately, I'd say.

[Sheepcoat]

Hi Carly, I had a synacthen test a few weeks ago. Firstly, they take blood from your arm and then they inject you with a synthetic hormone of ACTH into your thigh or your bum. You have to wait half an hour, and then they take more blood from your arm. Then you wait a further half hour and they take more blood. The blood they take is to test your cortisol level. Basically, the ACTH which they inject should increase your cortisol level and that's why they have to test your cortisol a few times to see if it's increasing after the injection. If it doesn't increase, then it can be an indication of an adrenal insufficiency.

In my instructions for the test it says you can take your usual meds in the morning but any steroids you might be using have to be discussed with the consultant first. Oral steroids should definitely not be taken on the morning. Oestrogen (including contraceptive pill and HRT) should be stopped 6 weeks prior to test because oestrogen can raise your cortisol level. You can eat breakfast as normal.

[Ctb567 in reply to Sheepcoat]

Thanks for the detailed reply! Did you not get a cannula for them to inject the hormone and take the blood? Didn't know you got the injection on your bum!

[Sheepcoat in reply to Ctb567]

No Problem! No I didn't get a cannula. She took the blood using a needle but she did have problems getting blood out the second and third times as I've only got one good vein! A cannula would've been much better but I didn't have the option. The hormone has to be injected into muscle and so it'll probably be your thigh or bum..I asked for the bum because thought it would be less painful and it was OK

[Ctb567 in reply to Sheepcoat]

Okay it makes me feel better knowing whats going to happen, I had my test today and it all went fine so I'm relieved now! how long did it take for your results to get back to you? I think it should be quite fast?

[Sheepcoat]

Glad the test went OK. Well I had my test done at a private hospital and they didn't send my results at all to either me or the consultant, so can't answer that one I'm afraid! Cortisol is a test that labs do all the time though, so you should have the results within a week I should think.