Acth test

[heathermr]

I have just had an Short Synathcen test, and included was an Acth test as it's likely that my pituitary is failing. I did check before they took any blood that the Acth test sample would need to be placed on ice and rushed to the lab but the hospital seemed completely unaware of that. Even their Endocrine nurse said that no special action was needed with the sample and that the blood could be sent to the lab as normal. Anyone any views on this? My last cortisol level was 149 which is very low but they wont take action until the results of this SST is known no matter how ill you feel. I have been struggling for well over 6 months, especially as my breathing is so bad it's like having a constant asthma attack.

Heather

[DippyDame]

The nurse who did my SST blood draw said it had to go straight to the lab...

Did you feel a boost after the ACHT injection....I did for about 12 +hrs.

No action taken though.... still working on that.

Hopefully more knowledgeable members will share their experience with you

I also did a private 24 hour adrenal/ cortisol saliva test + DHEA my endo wasn't interested despite a note on the results indicating evolving HPA axis dysfunction!

Makes you wonder....

Hope things improve soon.

[heathermr in reply to DippyDame]

I felt absolutely no reaction to the injection and the symptoms of low cortisol ie chronic breathing problems, dreadful nausea, dizziness etc, all persisted. Just keeping my fingers crossed that I get the results from the test soon as possible as I am fed up with feeling so dreadful.

Heather

[humanbean]

Information on how the Short Synacthen test including ACTH needs to be done can be found on pages 68 - 70 in this document, known as the "endocrine bible" :

imperialendo.co.uk/Bible201...

It mentions the need for ice in the Preparation section - my emphasis and underlining :

1 EDTA tube (purple top Vacutainer) for ACTH basal sample+ ice

and in the Method section :

0900h: take 7ml blood for cortisol (red or yellow top Vacutainer) and ACTH (purple top, on ice to lab immediately).

[Ginny52]

Good luck! 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

[Hidden]

Unless they take it to the lab straight away it needs to go on ice. The Oxford Handbook of Endocrinology & diabetes states that it needs to be spun straight away & separated on separation.

[heathermr]

I have spoken to the Endocrine Nurse again and she has confirmed that with the lab that they use does not require the Acth blood sample to be kept on ice or rushed to the lab. Apparently the lab they use changed their practices over 12 months ago but it now takes 4 weeks to get a result. Patients in trouble could die in that time!

Heather