Cushing’s syndrome is a disorder that occurs when your adrenal glands release too much cortisol. Sometimes, Cushing’s is caused by a hormone-secreting tumor that leads to dysregulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal gland axis. Below, are listed a few tests doctors perform to determine the specific cause of Cushing’s in each patient. Please read the description of the test and possible results and respond to the prompts below. 1 Measure blood levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). If ACTH levels are lower than normal, where is the tumor? How do you know? Remember, this person has high cortisol levels 2 Conduct a corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulation test where you inject a shot of CRH. If this test results in a normal increase in ACTH levels, where is the tumor? How do you know? 3 Inject a very high-dose of compound that is a cortisol-receptor agonist. A few hours later measure levels of circulating ACTH. If the test results in normal suppression of ACTH, where is the tumor? How do you know?
Cushing’s syndrome is a disorder that occurs when your adrenal glands release too much cortisol.
Sometimes, Cushing’s is caused by a hormone-secreting tumor that leads to dysregulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal gland axis. Below, are listed a few tests doctors perform to determine the specific cause of Cushing’s in each patient. Please read the description of the test and possible results and respond to the prompts below.
1 Measure blood levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). If ACTH levels are lower than normal, where is the tumor? How do you know? Remember, this person has high cortisol levels
2 Conduct a corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulation test where you inject a shot of CRH. If this test results in a normal increase in ACTH levels, where is the tumor? How do you know?
3 Inject a very high-dose of compound that is a cortisol-receptor agonist. A few hours later measure levels of circulating ACTH. If the test results in normal suppression of ACTH, where is the tumor? How do you know?
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