title: Physiological dosing of exogenous ACTH.
abstract: We evaluated the ACTH and cortisol responses to several doses of exogenous ACTH, and compared these values to the physiologic responses obtained in normal subjects undergoing insulin-induced hypoglycaemia. We determined that a cosyntrophin dose of 0.2 micrograms/kg body weight produced both ACTH and cortisol levels indistinguishable from the 'physiologic' stress-induced values. Since this dose is approximately 4 per cent of the standard 250 micrograms dose employed in tests of adrenal function, our findings suggest a need for caution in the interpretation of such tests.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Graybeal
authors.forename: V S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Fang
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003366:Cosyntropin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005215:Fasting; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D003366:Cosyntropin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone