Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
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| Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) : What is an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) test? This test measures the level of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in a sample of your blood. A hormone is a chemical messenger in your bloodstream that controls the actions of certain cells or organs. ACTH tells your adrenal glands, two small glands that sit above your kidneys, to make another hormone called cortisol. Cortisol affects almost every organ and tissue in your body. It helps your body: - Respond to stress (cortisol is sometimes called the "stress hormone") - Reduce inflammation - Regulate blood glucose, also called blood sugar, and metabolism (how your body uses food for energy) - Control blood pressure Because ACTH controls how much cortisol you make, ACTH testing is usually done with a blood test to measure your cortisol levels. Normally, if cortisol levels drop too low, your ACTH levels will increase to trigger your adrenal glands to make more cortisol. And if cortisol levels are high, ACTH levels will decrease so your adrenal glands will make less cortisol. Your ACTH and cortisol levels are controlled by a complex feedback system of hormones made in different parts of your body. These include your: - Pituitary gland. This small gland is in the base of your brain. It makes ACTH and other hormones. - Hypothalamus. This is a part of your brain. It makes a hormone that tells your pituitary gland how much ACTH to make. - Adrenal glands. These glands respond to ACTH by making cortisol and releasing it into your bloodstream. The increased amount of cortisol in your blood signals your hypothalamus to stop making the hormone that tells your pituitary to make ACTH. Conditions that affect any part of this system can affect the amount of cortisol in your body. Too much or too little cortisol can lead to serious health problems. Other names: Adrenocorticotropic hormone blood test, corticotropin | |
| Review Date: 05/12/2023 | Updated By: |