Anyone done a test called Synacthen please? I recently saw my private endo who recommended me to have this test based on my cortisol levels.
Has anyone had this test? What does it actually measure please?
Picture of my latest test results attached below. Unfortunately, no ranges were provided.
Many thanks!
The short synacthen test is done to see if your adrenal glands are producing enough cortisol, this is usually done if you have low cortisol - yours is 209nmol/Ls what time of day was your blood taken? They will take a base line cortisol & then inject you with artificial ACTH & then take blood at 30mins & possibly 60mins. ACTH is the hormone produced by the pituitary gland to stimulate the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. Ideally blood should be taken for ACTH at the start of the test, this needs to go on ice straight away. this shows if the issue is with the pituitary gland. With the SST the cortisol level at 30 mins should be around 450nmol/Ls & rising higher at 60 mins, this shows that the glands are working well. If they don't reach these figures then you could have Adrenal Insufficiency where the treatment would be with steroids usually Hydrocortisone. I hope that helps? Make sure you get the results from the test.
Many thanks for getting back to me PaulineS. This test was done around 2pm.
Thabks so much fir the wonderful explanation! Is this a treatable condition or Does have to take Hydracortisone for the rest of their lives?
If the bloods were taken around 2pm then your cortisol is not that low & I suspect that you would pass your SST, the chart shows what normal cortisol should be through the day. If the test shows that you aren't producing enough cortisol then you would be put on steroids, usually Hydrocortisone. There is a possibility that may regain adrenal function in time but you might need them for life. Let me know how you get on & I may be able to help you further.
Thanks sooo much PaulineS. God bless!
Sorry forgot to add the chart!!
Thanks sooo much. Makes me feel better seei9n9g this.
My Vade Mecum has links to LabTestsOnline which has good overviews of most blood or urine tests you might come across. There are versions in several different countries/languages.
Also has much else that might be of interest/assistance.
helvella - Vade Mecum for Thyroid
The term vade mecum means:
1. A referential book such as a handbook or manual.
2. A useful object, constantly carried on one’s person.
Please don't get put off by the number of pages!
Not everything is in this one document - my major medicines document is still separate!
From Dropbox:
dropbox.com/s/vp5ct1cwc03bl...
From Google Drive:
Short Synacthen Test Results
Synacthen Test Results 
SYNACTHEN TEST results
Short Synacthen Test Results
Is a Short Synacthen Test enough?
