Simple Diagnostic Chart
Source of pathology | CRH | ACTH | DHEA | DHEA-S | cortisol | aldosterone | renin | Na | K | Causes5 |
hypothalamus (tertiary)1 |
low | low | low | low | low3 | low | low | low | low | tumor of the hypothalamus (adenoma), antibodies, environment, head injury |
pituitary (secondary) |
high2 | low | low | low | low3 | low | low | low | low | tumor of the pituitary (adenoma), antibodies, environment, head injury, surgical removal6, Sheehan's syndrome |
adrenal glands (primary)7 |
high | high | high | high | low4 | low | high | low | high | tumor of the adrenal (adenoma), stress, antibodies, environment, Addison's, injury, surgical removal |
1 | Automatically includes diagnosis of secondary (hypopituitarism) |
2 | Only if CRH production in the hypothalamus is intact |
3 | Value doubles or more in stimulation |
4 | Value less than doubles in stimulation |
5 | Most common, doesn't include all possible causes |
6 | Usually because of very large tumor (macroadenoma) |
7 | Includes Addison's disease |
Read more about this topic: ACTH Stimulation Test
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