ACTH

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone

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What's

ACTH

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) is a vital hormone produced in your pituitary gland, a small organ nestled at the base of your brain. ACTH has a very important job - it's the chief signal to your adrenal glands, small organs located above your kidneys, telling them when to release cortisol, a key hormone that helps regulate your body's response to stress, maintain blood pressure, and control your sleep-wake cycle. In essence, ACTH is like the conductor of an orchestra, ensuring that your body responds appropriately to life's ups and downs, keeping you balanced and ready to face whatever comes your way.

If Your Levels Are High

High levels of Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) in your body could mean that your brain is sending out more signals to your adrenal glands to produce cortisol, the stress hormone. This could be due to a variety of reasons. For instance, it could be a sign of a condition like Cushing's syndrome, where your body produces too much cortisol, often due to a tumor in the pituitary gland. Alternatively, it could be a result of certain medications, such as corticosteroids or ACTH injections, which can artificially increase your ACTH levels. It could also be due to chronic stress or anxiety, which can cause your brain to send out more ACTH signals. It's important to note that these are just potential causes, and high ACTH levels could be due to other factors as well.

Symptoms of High Levels

Symptoms of high levels of ACTH could include weight gain, particularly around the abdomen and face, thinning skin that bruises easily, muscle weakness, fatigue, high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, and in women, irregular or absent menstrual periods.

If Your Levels are Low

Low levels of Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) could mean that your body isn't producing enough of this important hormone, which can disrupt your body's ability to handle stress and maintain normal blood pressure. This could be due to a problem with your pituitary gland, which is responsible for making ACTH, or your adrenal glands, which are supposed to respond to ACTH by making cortisol. Certain conditions, like Addison's disease, can cause low ACTH levels. Additionally, some medications, like corticosteroids, can also lower your ACTH levels. It's important to note that low ACTH levels could be a sign of a more serious underlying health issue.

Symptoms of Low Levels

Symptoms of low levels of Adrenocorticotropic Hormone may include fatigue, low blood pressure, weight loss, weakness, and abdominal pain.

See References

Test for

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)

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Plasma

This is a single-marker test measuring adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). It is used to diagnose adrenal and pituitary disorders.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)

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Plasma

This is a single-marker test measuring adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Determination of ACTH is useful in differentiating between primary and secondary adrenocortical hypo- and hyperfunctional disorders: Addison's Disease, Cushing's Syndrome, Adrenal Carcinoma, Ectopic ACTH Syndrome, Nodular Hyperplasia.

CONTENTS

What is it?

High Levels

Low Levels

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