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Results indicative of Cushing's disease involve no change in cortisol on low-dose dexamethasone, but inhibition of cortisol on high-dose dexamethasone. If the cortisol levels are unchanged by low- and high-dose dexamethasone, then other causes of Cushing's syndrome must be considered with further work-up necessary.
Dexamethasone suppression test [3] Late night salivary cortisol (LNSC) [4] Loss of diurnal variation in cortisol levels (seen only in true Cushing's Syndrome) High mean corpuscular volume and gamma-glutamyl transferase may be clues to alcoholism; Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome should be ruled out; PCOS may have similar symptoms
In the high-dose 48-h DST, 2 mg of dexamethasone is given every 6 hours for 48 hours or a single dose of 8 mg is given. [8] This test is not needed if the 48-h low-dose DST has shown suppression of cortisol by over 30%. [8] These tests are based on the glucocorticoid sensitivity of pituitary adenomas compared to non-pituitary tumors. [8]
Furthermore, a meta-analysis yielded decreased dexamethasone suppression, and increased response to psychological stressors. [78] Further abnormal results have been obscured with the cortisol awakening response, with increased response being associated with depression. [79]
Cushing's syndrome is a collection of signs and symptoms due to prolonged exposure to glucocorticoids such as cortisol. [4] [9] [10] Signs and symptoms may include high blood pressure, abdominal obesity but with thin arms and legs, reddish stretch marks, a round red face due to facial plethora, [11] a fat lump between the shoulders, weak muscles, weak bones, acne, and fragile skin that heals ...
Dexamethasone is a fluorinated glucocorticoid medication [10] used to treat rheumatic problems, a number of skin diseases, severe allergies, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), croup, brain swelling, eye pain following eye surgery, superior vena cava syndrome (a complication of some forms of cancer), [11] and along with antibiotics in tuberculosis. [10]
The HPA axis appears to be dysregulated in psychotic depression, with dexamethasone suppression tests demonstrating higher levels of cortisol following dexamethasone administration (i.e. lower cortisol suppression). [2] Those with psychotic depression also have higher ventricular-brain ratios than those with non-psychotic depression. [2]
The ACTH test (also called the cosyntropin, tetracosactide, or Synacthen test) is a medical test usually requested and interpreted by endocrinologists to assess the functioning of the adrenal glands' stress response by measuring the adrenal response to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH; corticotropin) or another corticotropic agent such as tetracosactide (cosyntropin, tetracosactrin; Synacthen ...