Normal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis by high-dose cosyntropin testing in patients with abnormal response to low-dose cosyntropin stimulation: a retrospective review.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the interpretation of the 1-microg low-dose adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) test (LDT) for assessment of the presence of adrenal insufficiency (AI) in comparison with the 250-microg or standard high-dose ACTH test (HDT), which uses the same cutoff cortisol value of 18 microg/dL (500 nmol/L) as the lower limit of normal.


METHODS
We present a retrospective review of 26 patients referred to the Pituitary Clinic who underwent both the LDT and the HDT for evaluation of the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.


RESULTS
Of the 26 study patients, 23 had discordant findings--abnormal LDT and normal HDT results with use of the empiric cortisol cutoff of 18 microg/dL at 30 minutes in response to the ACTH dose. Glucocorticoid replacement therapy was stopped or not started in these patients, and no clinical symptoms of AI developed during a follow-up period ranging from 19 to 24 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Our retrospective review of patients' discordant LDT and HDT results questions the reliability of the LDT as a screening test for AI, as currently interpreted. Our data suggest that abnormal results should be evaluated in the context of the clinical picture and that additional testing may be indicated to prevent unwarranted treatment with glucocorticoids. Further studies are needed to establish a safe, sensitive, and specific test for the diagnosis of AI.
Fleseriu
Maria
M
Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA. fleseriu@ohsu.edu
Gassner
Marika
M
Yedinak
Christine
C
Chicea
Liana
L
Delashaw
Johnny B
JB
Loriaux
D Lynn
DL
D000309:Adrenal Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003366:Cosyntropin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D003366:Cosyntropin