Dexamethasone suppression test: Difference between revisions
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The '''dexamethasone suppression test''' is designed to [ | The '''dexamethasone suppression test''' is designed to [[diagnosis|diagnose]] and differentiate among the various types of [[Cushing's syndrome]] and other hypercortisol states. <ref>[http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003694.htm Medline Plus "Dexamethasone suppression test"]</ref> | ||
[ | [[Dexamethasone]] is an exogenous steroid that provides negative feedback to the [[pituitary]] to suppress the secretion of [[ACTH]]. This steroid is unable to pass the [[blood brain barrier]] which allows this test to assess a specific part of the [[Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis]]. | ||
The test is given at low and high doses of Dexamethasone and the levels of [ | The test is given at low and high doses of Dexamethasone and the levels of [[cortisol]] are measured to obtain the results.<ref>[http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003694.htm Medline Plus "Dexamethasone suppression test"]</ref> A normal result is decrease in cortisol levels upon administration of low-dose dexamethasone. 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 a cortisol secreting adrenocortical tumor is suspected or an ectopic ACTH syndrome. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[ | [[Category:Chemical pathology]] | ||
{{pathology-stub}} | {{pathology-stub}} | ||
[ | [[pl:Test hamowania z deksametazonem]] | ||
Revision as of 22:26, 22 January 2011
The dexamethasone suppression test is designed to diagnose and differentiate among the various types of Cushing's syndrome and other hypercortisol states. [1]
Dexamethasone is an exogenous steroid that provides negative feedback to the pituitary to suppress the secretion of ACTH. This steroid is unable to pass the blood brain barrier which allows this test to assess a specific part of the Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
The test is given at low and high doses of Dexamethasone and the levels of cortisol are measured to obtain the results.[2] A normal result is decrease in cortisol levels upon administration of low-dose dexamethasone. 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 a cortisol secreting adrenocortical tumor is suspected or an ectopic ACTH syndrome.