Adrenocorticotropic hormone (intact), Plasma

Diagnostic Use

ACTH in conjunction with cortisol is used to diagnose adrenal gland problems and pituitary diseases such as Cushing's disease/syndrome, Addison's, adrenal and pituitary tumours.

ACTH is usually done as a diagnostic test once an abnormal cortisol level is detected.

Department

Endocrinology Lab

Delphic Registration Code

ACTH

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

Collect blood into pre-cooled tubes. After drawing blood, put the vials immediately on ice.

Registration

Sample cannot be shared for any other tests. Please check test tube assignment is correct e.g. EDTA on ice is assigned to ACTH ONLY.

Separating

Separate in cooled centrifuge if possible and freeze plasma immediately.

Test Adds

Not available

Synonyms

ACTH
Corticotrophin

Turnaround Time

7 days

Test Code

5428

Specimen Type

• Plasma

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• EDTA (Lavender Cap)

Preferred if West Coast

• EDTA (Lavender Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

3

No of Samples Required

1

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• EDTA (Lavender Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

1

Interferences

Haemolysis - samples will be rejected.

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Plasma

Minimum Volume (ml)

0.5

Transport to Lab

Frozen
If overnight - Frozen

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

Haemolysed samples will be rejected.
Collect blood into pre-cooled tubes. After drawing blood, put the vials immediately on ice.
Separate in cooled centrifuge if possible and freeze plasma immediately.
Rural collection sites without the ability to separate and freeze plasma and transport frozen samples need to consider sending patient to a main center for collection to ensure sample integrity.

Interpretation

Low ACTH results will be given by even slightly hemolysed samples.

Raised values – stress, Cushing’s Syndrome, (hypothalamic-pituitary disease or ectopic ACTH secretion from a tumour), ACTH secreting pituitary tumours with hyper pigmentation, (Nelson’s Syndrome), Addison’s Disease, Adrenal enzyme deficiency, adrenalectomy.

Undetectable values – Cushing’s Syndrome (adrenal adenoma or carcinoma) glucocorticoid therapy. Note that ACTH values may be undetectable in normal individuals, particularly in the late evening.

Reference Intervals

1.0 – 12 pmol/L (7 – 10am)

Conversion factor: 1 pmol/L = 4.5 pg/mL

Test Method

Principle: Sandwich type immunoassay with chemiluminescence detection

Reagents: Roche ACTH

Analyser: Cobas e411

Non-Funded Test Cost

$58.71 (Exclusive of GST)

Billing Code

5428

Resources

• Stability of plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH): Influence of hemolysis, rapid chilling, time, and the addition of a maleimide. (204 KB)

Contact Information

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