Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Test
About Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Test
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | ACTH blood test, Adrenocorticotropic hormone blood test, Corticotropin test, Plasma ACTH test |
| Sample Type | Venous blood (plasma) |
| Fasting Required | Yes – 10 to 12 hours of fasting required; a low-carbohydrate diet is advised 48 hours before |
| Report Time | 2 to 5 days |
| Recommended For | All genders and ages; commonly ordered when symptoms of cortisol imbalance are present |
| Price | Starting at ₹1,600 |
What Is an Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Test?
The ACTH test is a blood test that measures the level of adrenocorticotropic hormone in your plasma. ACTH is produced by the pituitary gland, a small gland at the base of the brain, and its primary role is to signal the adrenal glands (located above the kidneys) to release cortisol.
Cortisol affects nearly every organ in the body, regulating metabolism, blood pressure, blood sugar, inflammation, and the sleep-wake cycle. The adrenocorticotropic hormone blood test is also known as the corticotropin test or plasma ACTH test.
What Does an Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Test Measure?
The ACTH hormone test measures a single hormone in your blood plasma. Understanding what this hormone does helps explain why the test is so useful.
| Parameter | What It Represents |
|---|---|
| ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic Hormone) | The hormone released by the pituitary gland that tells the adrenal glands to produce cortisol |
Because ACTH and cortisol work in a closely linked system, doctors often order a cortisol test alongside the ACTH blood test. Measuring both together helps identify whether a problem originates in the pituitary gland or in the adrenal glands themselves.
Why Is an Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Test Done?
Doctors order this test when they suspect a hormone imbalance involving the pituitary or adrenal glands. Here is an overview of when and why it is used.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
The following symptoms may prompt a doctor to request an ACTH test:
- Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
- Persistent fatigue or muscle weakness
- High or low blood pressure without a clear cause
- Unusual darkening of the skin
- Changes in blood sugar levels
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The adrenocorticotropic hormone test can help identify a number of conditions, including:
- Cushing's disease: A pituitary tumour that produces excess ACTH, causing the adrenal glands to make too much cortisol
- Addison's disease (primary adrenal insufficiency): Damage to the adrenal glands, usually from an autoimmune process, leading to insufficient cortisol production
- Hypopituitarism: An underactive pituitary gland that cannot produce enough ACTH, resulting in low cortisol
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia: A genetic condition in which the adrenal glands do not produce adequate hormones
- Ectopic ACTH syndrome: Tumours outside the pituitary gland (often in the lungs) that produce excess ACTH
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Test for Chronic Disease Monitoring
The ACTH blood test is not only used for initial diagnosis. It is also used to monitor ongoing conditions affecting the pituitary and adrenal glands. Patients with Cushing's disease require lifelong follow-up, as the condition can recur and cortisol levels must be checked regularly.
The test is similarly used to monitor patients with adrenal insufficiency, those recovering from pituitary surgery, and individuals being gradually weaned off long-term steroid therapy.
How to Prepare and What to Expect
Preparation for the plasma ACTH test is straightforward but important, as certain habits before the test can affect your results.
Do You Need to Fast?
Yes, fasting for 10 to 12 hours before the test is typically required. In addition, your doctor may advise you to follow a low-carbohydrate diet for 48 hours beforehand. If you are also having other blood tests done on the same day, check whether those require fasting as well.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
Following these steps will help ensure accurate results:
- Schedule your appointment for early morning, as ACTH levels are at their highest between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m.
- Get a full night of sleep before the test and avoid strenuous physical activity for at least 12 hours beforehand
- Inform your doctor about all medications you are taking, particularly steroids, hormones, or insulin, as these can affect results
- Stop biotin supplements at least 12 to 72 hours before the test, as biotin can interfere with the analysis
- Try to stay calm and avoid emotional stress in the hours leading up to the test
Step-by-Step Procedure
Here is what to expect during sample collection:
- Arrive at the collection centre or await the home collection professional early in the morning, after completing your overnight fast.
- A trained phlebotomist will clean a small area on your arm and draw a blood sample from a vein using a fine needle.
- You may feel a brief sting when the needle is inserted. The collection itself takes under five minutes.
- After collection, your blood sample is immediately placed on ice to preserve the hormone's stability.
- The sample is transported quickly to the laboratory, where it is analysed using immunoassay methods.
- Your results are typically available within 2 to 5 days.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors can influence the reliability of your ACTH test results:
- Emotional or physical stress experienced shortly before or during the test
- Poor sleep the night before
- Taking steroids, hormones, or insulin without informing your doctor
- Biotin supplement use
- Disruption to your normal sleep-wake cycle (for example, night-shift work or recent travel across time zones)
- Menstruation or pregnancy at the time of testing
Understanding Your Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Test Results
Results should always be reviewed with your doctor, who will consider your full medical history alongside the numbers. The table below shows general reference ranges for ACTH levels.
| Time of Sample | Normal Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Morning (7 a.m. to 10 a.m.) | 9 to 52 | pg/mL (picograms per millilitre) |
| Late afternoon (around 4 p.m.) | Less than 20 | pg/mL |
These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
Certain situations can shift results in ways that require careful interpretation:
- Pregnancy and oral oestrogen therapy raise the amount of a protein that binds to cortisol in the blood. This can make cortisol appear higher than it truly is and may mask underlying adrenal insufficiency.
- Conditions such as liver cirrhosis, malnutrition, or serious illness have the opposite effect, lowering measured cortisol and potentially suggesting adrenal insufficiency when none exists.
- Disruption to the body's natural daily rhythm (such as working night shifts, jet lag, or severe insomnia) can also cause morning ACTH and cortisol levels to appear lower than expected.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
These general wellness habits support balanced hormone function:
- Manage stress through regular physical activity, adequate sleep, and relaxation practices
- Eat a balanced diet and maintain a healthy weight
- Attend scheduled follow-up appointments if you have a known pituitary or adrenal condition
Lupin Diagnostics Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Test Price and Home Collection
The ACTH test price at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹1,600, and home sample collection is available across major Indian cities.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| Mumbai | ₹1,600 |
| Chennai | ₹1,600 |
| Bangalore | ₹1,600 |
| Hyderabad | ₹1,600 |
| Kolkata | ₹1,600 |
| Pune | ₹1,600 |
| Indore | ₹1,600 |
| Bhopal | ₹1,600 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
Follow these steps to book your adrenocorticotropic hormone test:
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website
- Choose your city and preferred time slot
- Opt for home sample collection by a certified phlebotomist, or visit your nearest Lupin Diagnostics centre
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time
Home Collection
Lupin Diagnostics offers home sample collection for the ACTH blood test across cities in India. Because the sample must be drawn early in the morning and kept on ice for prompt processing, all home collections are handled by trained professionals to ensure accuracy. Reports are delivered digitally, and all samples are processed in NABL-accredited laboratories.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are two different tests. The ACTH test simply measures the amount of adrenocorticotropic hormone present in your blood at a given time. The ACTH stimulation test, in contrast, involves injecting a synthetic form of ACTH and then measuring how your cortisol levels respond. The stimulation test assesses how well your adrenal glands function, while the standard ACTH blood test measures baseline hormone levels.
ACTH follows a daily rhythm, reaching its peak between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. and dropping to its lowest point in the evening. Morning collection captures the highest measurable level, providing doctors with the most clinically useful reading for comparison with established reference ranges.
ACTH and cortisol normally move in opposite directions. When ACTH rises, cortisol should follow; when cortisol is high, ACTH typically falls. Measuring both together allows your doctor to determine whether an imbalance originates in the pituitary gland (which produces ACTH) or in the adrenal glands (which produce cortisol), making the diagnosis more precise.
Yes. Physical or emotional stress triggers the release of ACTH, which then raises cortisol levels. If you are stressed during or just before the test, your results may appear higher than your true baseline. Getting a good night's rest and staying calm before your appointment helps produce a more reliable reading.
Inform your doctor before the test. Steroid medications can suppress ACTH production and significantly affect results. Your doctor may advise stopping certain medications for up to 48 hours before the test, but you should never stop any prescribed medication without explicit guidance from your healthcare provider.
Yes, timing is critical for the plasma ACTH test. Because ACTH levels change considerably across the day, a sample drawn in the afternoon will naturally be lower than one drawn in the morning. To ensure your results are interpreted correctly, your sample should ideally be collected between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Yes, home collection is available and reliable when carried out correctly. The sample must be drawn early in the morning and transported to the laboratory on ice without delay. Lupin Diagnostics' trained phlebotomists follow these protocols to maintain sample quality, ensuring your results are as accurate as a centre-based collection.
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Test
