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Test Code ACHS Adrenocorticotropic Hormone-Stimulation Test, Plasma

Important Note

This test may be affected by biotin interference. Patients on high dose biotin (5mg/day or more) should not have samples drawn until at least 24 hours after the last biotin administration.

Specimen and Container/Tube

Specimen Type: Plasma

Preferred Specimen: Lavendar K2 Top

Other Acceptable specimens: Lavendar K3 Top

Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions

UCMC Onsite Instructions: 

  • Collect specimen per standard collection procedure using a pre-cooled collection tube
  • Samples should be placed on ice immediately after collection
  • Send to laboratory immediately after collection

 

UCMC Offsite and UC MedLab Outreach Instructions: 

  • Collect specimen per standard collection procedure using a pre-cooled collection tube
  • Samples should be placed on ice immediately after collection.
  • Centrifuge specimens at >2500 x g for 10 minutes at room temperature.
  • Carefully remove sample from cells using a plastic transfer pipette.
  • Aliquot removed sample into a plastic tubes containing a minimum of 0.2 mL of specimen.
  • Sample must then be frozen at -20oC.
  • Once solidly frozen, they must be shipped on dry ice. Samples that have thawed in transit will be rejected.

Rejection Criteria

  • Common specimen rejected situations include: incorrect specimen type, insufficient volume, missing or incomplete specimen identifiers, incorrect specimen transport, or specimens outside stability limits. 
  • Specimens that are clotted or grossly hemolyzed.
  • Specimens that were transported unspun/whole blood and draw time is greater than 6 hours

Reference Values

Test

Age

Sex

Reference Range

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

 

Reference ranges for ACTH ordered as part of a specific stimulation/suppression protocol are specific to the protocol utilized by the ordering physician and are therefore subject to ordering physician's interpretation.

 

Critical Values

Analyte

Unit

Low

High

Age

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

CPT Codes

80400

LOINC Codes

34542-1

Volume

Preferred Volume: 0.5 mL

Minimum Volume: 0.2 mL

Specimen Stability

Storage Temperature

Stability

Room temperature

Not Acceptable

Refrigerated

3 hours

Frozen

70 days

Collection Instructions

  • Collect specimen per standard laboratory collection procedures. 
  • Samples should be placed on ice immediately after collection.

 

Test Components

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (Stimulated)

Clinical Indications

The corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulation test includes analysis of ACTH to evaluate Cushing's syndrome
and adrenal insufficiency. After intravenous administration of CRH, blood may be collected at specified timepoints and analyzed for Adrenocorticotropic Hormone and often Cortisol (CORS).

 

Test can be used to:
*Evaluate the cause of ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome (with or without vasopressin analogs)
*Discriminate between pituitary or hypothalamic localization of central adrenal insufficiency
*To assess ACTH supression in patients suspected of primary adrenal mild Cushing's syndrome.

These stimulation tests generally involve a baseline ACTH measurement.


ACTH may also be tested as part of insulin tolerance test protcols where ACTH deficiency may be a factor in insulin-induced hypoglycemia.

Methodology

Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) - Roche Diagnostics

Additional Information

Results should always be assessed in conjunction with patient's medical history, clinical examination and other
findings.

Turnaround Time

Turnaround times are relative to the time the specimen is received in the test laboratory. 

 

STAT Turnaround Time: Not Available as STAT test

Routine Turnaround Time: Up to 4 hours

Testing Schedule:  24/7

Synonyms/Keyword Search

ACTH, ACTH Stimulation

Last Review Date

8/14/2024

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