What happens at a Synacthen Test? Is there anything I should know/do?

[DeniseR]

Just had a phone call, after I emailed complaining that I'd waited months and still hadn't had the test I was promised. Apparently someone will call to arrange it before the end of next week. They haven't told me anything about it or if I need to prepare in any way, so if anyone could enlighten me? Thanks

[loulabel]

A synacthen test is used to check the function of the adrenal glands. It involves stimulating the adrenal glands and then checking to see if they respond. It can also give doctors information about how the hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal glands work together. The test may also be used to diagnose Addison's disease.

A synacthen test can be carried out in several different ways. Your local hospital should tell you how the test is to be carried out.

You will usually be asked to come into hospital in the morning. Here a sample of your blood will be taken to see how much cortisol is present before your adrenals are stimulated. You may have a small needle called a cannula put into a vein in the back of the hand. This allows doctors to take blood samples and give the tetracosactide.

You will then be given an injection of tetracosactide either into a vein via the cannula or into a muscle. In the so-called short synacthen test a sample of blood will be taken again approximately 30 minutes after you received the injection of tetracosactide. This is to measure the levels of cortisol in the blood to see if the adrenals have responded to the tetracosactide. If you are having the short test you will then be free to leave.

Less commonly, you may have what is known as a long synacthen test. In this type of test you give a blood sample at the start of the test. You then have an injection of tetracosactide and blood samples are taken at regular intervals over a 24-hour period.

Got the information above on this link

patient.co.uk/health/Synact...

[sporty333 in reply to loulabel]

Nicely put :0)

[DeniseR in reply to loulabel]

Thank you!

I knew it was to test my adrenals as I asked for it because of this. However, I didn't know they could get info on the hypothalamus and pituitary through this.

I wasn't sure what the actual test process is either. Needles never used to bother me but it seems the more blood tests I have, the more it hurts so this doesn't sound great. Just hope it shows something

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to DeniseR]

It made me burst into tears and I couldn't stop for about an hour. Most people don't get this, but take tissues just in case.

[DeniseR in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Oh god! I cry so easily anyway, best take some tissues then lol Thank you

[Moggie]

You'll get tea and biccy's Den.lol.

Mine went like a dream and was all done in just over an hour.

Moggie x

[DeniseR in reply to Moggie]

Aaaw, thanks Moggie, this makes it seem better lol x