Dexamethasone suppression test & bull; hello healthy

Definition

What is the dexamethasone suppression test?

Dexamethasone suppression test will measure whether the secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) by the pituitary gland can be suppressed. This medical test checks for a disease in which the adrenal glands produce large amounts of cortisol (Cushing's syndrome).

When should I take the dexamethasone suppression test?

This medical test is done when your doctor suspects that your body is producing more than normal cortisol. This test is done to help diagnose the symptoms of Cushing's syndrome and identify the cause. A low-dose test will show if your body is overproducing ACTH. Meanwhile, a high-dose test will help determine if the problem is rooted in the pituitary gland. Dexamethasone is an artificial (synthetic) steroid that is similar to cortisol. This type of steroid works to reduce the rate of ACTH release in a normal person. Consuming dexamethasone will lead to a reduction in the amount of ACTH and a decrease in the level of cortisol in the body.

If your pituitary gland overproduces ACTH, you will react abnormally to the low dose test. However, you can check for a normal response to a high-dose test result.

Precautions & warnings

What should I know before taking the dexamethasone suppression test?

As with any blood test, there is a minimal risk of developing light bruising at the injection site. In rare cases, the blood vessels will swell after a blood sample is taken. This condition, called phlebitis, can be treated with a warm compress several times a day. Continued bleeding can be a problem if you have a bleeding disorder or are taking blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin) or aspirin.

Some doctors estimate that a 24-hour cortisol-free urine test will be more accurate than the full overnight dexamethasone suppression test. A 24-hour cortisol-free urine test is used to look for signs of Cushing's syndrome. For more, see the topic Cortisol in Urine. An adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) test may be done at the same time as the cortisol test.

Process

What should I do before taking the dexamethasone suppression test?

You will be asked not to eat or drink anything for 10 - 12 hours prior to the D-day of the procedure.

Some medicines can affect the test results. Be sure to tell your doctor about any prescription and non-prescription medications you are taking. You may be asked to stop taking certain medications (contraceptive pills, aspirin, morphine, methadone, lithium, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and diuretics) within 24 - 48 hours before taking a blood sample.

If you have questions related to your needs during the test, the risks you may face, the test procedure, or the possible results, please consult your doctor for a better understanding.

How does the dexamethasone suppression test process?

The night before sampling (usually 11:00 p.m.), you will take a pill containing 1 mg of dexamethasone. In the morning, usually at 8 am, the medical staff will take a sample of your blood. Take the pills with milk or antacids to prevent ulcers.

During a blood draw, the medical staff will:

• wrap an elastic belt around your upper arm to stop blood flow. This makes the blood vessel under the bundle enlarge making it easier to insert the needle into the vessel
• clean the area to be injected with alcohol
• inject a needle into a vein. More than one needle may be required.
• Put the tube into the syringe to fill it with blood
• untie the knot from your arm when enough blood is drawn
• attaching gauze or cotton to the injection site, after the injection is complete
• apply pressure to the area and then put a bandage on

Sometimes, an extensive dexamthasone suppression test can be done. Specifically for this test, you will take 8 pills in 2 days and then the medical staff will measure the cortisol levels in your blood and urine.

What should I do after taking the dexamethasone suppression test?

You can return home immediately after this procedure. You probably won't feel anything from the syringe, except for a slight stinging feeling when the needle is inserted into the vessel. The test results can generally be retrieved within a few days afterward. An abnormal test result allows you to get a series of further tests, on the advice of your doctor, to identify Cushing's syndrome. A normal test result means you don't have Cushing's syndrome.

Explanation of the Test Results

What do my test results mean?

Normal result

Normal results will show cortisol levels in the body less than 5 mcg / dL or less than 138 nanomoles per liter (nmol / L).

Abnormal results

Abnormal results will show:

• • • cortisol levels are more than normal, which indicates that you have Cushing's syndrome.
    • other health problems, such as potential heart attack or heart failure, fever, poor diet, hyperthyroidism, depression, anorexia nervosa, uncontrolled diabetes, or alcohol dependence
    • cancers that produce ACTH, such as lung cancer

Depending on the laboratory of your choice, the normal range of the creatinine test may vary. Discuss any questions you have about your medical test results with your doctor.