Administration
Traditionally, cortisol and ACTH levels (separate lavender top tube) are drawn at baseline (time = 0). Next, synthetic ACTH (Synacthen aka Tetracosactide or Cortrosyn aka Cosyntropin) is injected IM or IV depending on the agent. Approximately 20 mL of heparinized venous blood is collected at 30 and 60 minutes after the synthetic ACTH injection to measure cortisol levels.
All blood samples are kept on ice and sent immediately to the laboratory for testing.
Read more about this topic: ACTH Stimulation Test