HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Does My ACTH Stimulation Test Report Indicate?

Posted on Mon, 11 Sep 2017

Question: My daughter is 19 gaining weigjt rapidly. Shes very active in competitive dance. She has gained 25 lbs in the last year... with 9 of it in the last three months. Complains of back pain, headaches and fatique. She had a corrisol test done 2 days ago it was 39.4 she then had a acth stim test today i have attached the results along with a picture of a strange blochiness on her back that her dr said was a yeast infection. Please give me some interpretation on the recents test results and i would appreciate some direction on finding her some relief or what direction i should take from here.

Answered by Dr. Mirjeta Guni (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
About the attached results:

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for asking!
I can understand your concern regarding your daughter's health.

The physician has done an ACTH stimulation test to rule out an adrenal insufficiency as the cause of the fatigue. But the test is normal. So she does not have adrenal insufficiency.

I would suggest checking the thyroid function next, an underactive thyroid may cause fatigue and weight gain and an ultrasound of the ovaries to rule out PCOS (even though the menstrual cycle should be irregular if it was PCOS).

The picture you attached is typical of yeast infection, not to get worried about.
An antifungal shampoo (Ketoconazole i.e. Nizoral shampoo) will help.

Wishing her good health. Feel free to ask further.

Kind regards,
Dr.Mirjeta

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Mirjeta Guni (4 hours later)

She did a T4 and a tsh and they were normal. What would cause the elevated cortisol the day before? As it was 39.4

Answered by Dr. Mirjeta Guni (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
About high cortisol level:

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back,
The cortisol level may increase by many causes; in stressful situations or in obesity is often high.
In these cases a dexametasone suppression test ( not acth stimulation) is suggested to differentiate if there is a pathology producing high cortisol or if it has been elevated by other causes ( mentioned above).
Your physician has decided to do acth stimulation test ( probably having into consideration the history of the disease or the clinical examination).
But as I explained above , when cortisol is high a dexametasone suppression test is suggested.
Hope i have been helpful.
Best wishes,
Dr.Mirjeta

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Mirjeta Guni (3 hours later)

Thank you thats what i was looking for.. have a great day.

Answered by Dr. Mirjeta Guni (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It's a pleasure!

Detailed Answer:
Wish her good health!

Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng