IHC Marker – ACTH Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About IHC Marker – ACTH Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | ACTH Immunostain Test, Adrenocorticotropic Hormone IHC Test, Corticotropin IHC Marker Test, ACTH Immunohistochemistry Test |
| Sample Type | FFPE tissue block |
| Fasting Required | Not required |
| Report Time | 3 days |
| Recommended For | Adults of any gender requiring classification of pituitary tumours or suspected ectopic ACTH-secreting tumours |
| Price | Starting at ₹1,920 |
What is an IHC Marker – ACTH Test?
The IHC marker – ACTH test is a specialised laboratory technique used to detect the presence of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) protein in tumour tissue samples. ACTH is a hormone normally produced by the pituitary gland; it signals the adrenal glands to release cortisol. This test uses targeted antibodies to identify which cells in a tissue sample are producing or storing ACTH, helping pathologists classify pituitary tumours and identify other ACTH-secreting growths. It is also known as the ACTH immunostain test, the adrenocorticotropic hormone IHC test, the corticotropin IHC marker test, or the ACTH immunohistochemistry test.
What Does an IHC Marker – ACTH Test Measure?
This test evaluates a single parameter in tissue obtained from biopsy or surgery. The result reflects how strongly and how widely ACTH protein is expressed within the examined tissue. Here is what it tells your doctor:
| Parameter | What Is Assessed |
|---|---|
| ACTH Protein Expression | Whether tumour cells stain positive or negative for ACTH, and the intensity and distribution of staining (focal, patchy, or diffuse) |
In tumour tissue, the staining pattern is described as negative, weak positive, moderate positive, or strong positive, and the distribution is noted to help guide diagnosis.
Why is an IHC Marker – ACTH Test Done?
This test is ordered after a tissue sample has been obtained from a suspected pituitary tumour or another ACTH-secreting growth. It helps the treating team understand the nature of the tumour.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
A doctor may request this test when a patient presents with symptoms suggesting excess cortisol or a pituitary abnormality. These symptoms include:
- Unexplained weight gain, particularly around the abdomen
- Rounded facial appearance (commonly called a 'moon face')
- Fat accumulation at the back of the neck (buffalo hump)
- Easy bruising and purple stretch marks on the skin
- Persistent muscle weakness
- High blood pressure that is difficult to manage
- Diabetes that does not respond well to standard treatment
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The IHC marker – ACTH test result plays an important role in identifying the following conditions:
- Cushing's disease, caused by an ACTH-secreting pituitary tumour
- Corticotroph pituitary adenomas, including those that are clinically silent
- Ectopic ACTH syndrome, where tumours outside the pituitary secrete ACTH
- Small cell lung carcinoma and bronchial carcinoid tumours producing ACTH ectopically
- Pancreatic tumours, thymic carcinoids, and medullary thyroid cancer associated with ectopic ACTH secretion
- Non-functioning pituitary adenomas requiring cell-lineage classification
How to Prepare and What to Expect
Because this test is performed on tissue already collected during a biopsy or surgical procedure, the preparation requirements are minimal. The key steps involve ensuring the tissue sample is handled and submitted correctly.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required. The ACTH test procedure is carried out on a tissue sample obtained during a surgical or biopsy procedure, not on a blood or urine sample. Always follow any specific instructions given by your doctor.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
The following steps will help ensure the tissue sample is suitable for testing:
- Bring a detailed clinical history including your symptoms, previous test results, and family history, as this is required for the test
- Carry a valid doctor's prescription when submitting the tissue block to the laboratory
- Provide a provisional diagnosis and any relevant biochemical hormone results to the pathologist for accurate interpretation
Step-by-Step Procedure
The following steps describe how tissue is processed and analysed for this test:
- A tissue sample is collected by your surgeon or clinician during a biopsy or surgical procedure at the hospital.
- The collected tissue is preserved in formalin and processed into a paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block; sections are cut to 4 microns in thickness.
- In the laboratory, a specific ACTH antibody linked to an enzyme is applied to the tissue section on a glass slide.
- The enzyme triggers a visible colour reaction wherever ACTH protein is present, marking those cells clearly under a microscope.
- A qualified pathologist examines the stained slide, noting the intensity, distribution, and percentage of positively staining cells.
- The findings are recorded in a structured report and returned to the treating doctor within the stipulated time.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors can influence the quality of staining and the reliability of results:
- Poor or delayed fixation of the tissue sample in formalin
- Use of an unsuitable fixative without noting it on the requisition
- Prolonged time between tissue removal and fixation
- Incomplete or missing clinical history provided to the pathologist
- Tissue sample that is too small or fragmented for adequate staining
Understanding Your IHC Marker – ACTH Test Results
Results from this test are interpreted by a pathologist alongside clinical details, biochemical hormone levels, and imaging findings. The table below provides a general guide to what the staining results may indicate:
| Result | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Positive staining (15% to 20% of cells) in normal pituitary | Expected baseline; within normal range for healthy pituitary tissue |
| Negative staining | Tumour is likely not of corticotroph origin; may be another adenoma type |
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 conditions or circumstances may influence how the tissue stains and how results are interpreted:
- Patients with prolonged high cortisol levels (hypercortisolism) may show a change called Crooke's hyaline change in surrounding normal pituitary cells, which a pathologist will note separately.
- Previous steroid therapy can alter the appearance of corticotroph cells in tissue, and this should be disclosed to your doctor before the test.
- Poor tissue fixation or delayed sample processing reduces staining quality and may affect the reliability of the result.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
This test is used for tumour classification rather than monitoring a range that can be adjusted through lifestyle. The following general tips support overall hormonal health:
- Attend all follow-up appointments with your endocrinologist or neurosurgeon as advised
- Keep a record of all test results, imaging reports, and clinical notes for reference at each visit
- Maintain a balanced diet and regular physical activity to support general hormonal health, as guided by your treating doctor
Lupin Diagnostics IHC Marker – ACTH Test Price
The ACTH test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹1,920. This test requires a visit to a Lupin Diagnostics centre or submission of the tissue block directly to the laboratory; home collection is not available for this test. The table below shows indicative prices:
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 1920 |
| CHENNAI | 1920 |
| HYDERABAD | 1920 |
| KOLKATA | 1920 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 1920 |
| PUNE | 1920 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
Follow these steps for ACTH test online booking at Lupin Diagnostics:
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred centre location.
- Visit the centre at your scheduled time to submit your tissue block or slides.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Frequently Asked Questions
The IHC marker – ACTH test uses specific antibodies applied to tissue sections to detect whether ACTH protein is present in tumour cells. It is a pathology-based test, not a blood test. The result helps classify pituitary and neuroendocrine tumours accurately.
Your doctor may order this test if you have had a pituitary tumour removed or if imaging suggests an ACTH-producing growth elsewhere in the body. The staining result confirms whether the tumour arises from corticotroph cells, which guides further treatment decisions.
No. The ACTH IHC test requires a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue block or pre-cut unstained slides, which can only be obtained through a surgical procedure or biopsy in a clinical setting. The tissue block must then be submitted directly to the laboratory.
No fasting is needed at any point. Because the test is performed on tissue rather than blood, there are no dietary or fluid restrictions before submission of the sample. Always follow specific instructions given by your doctor.
A positive result means that the tumour cells express ACTH protein, indicating corticotroph differentiation. Strong and diffuse positivity is commonly associated with functioning corticotroph adenomas. Your pathologist and doctor will interpret the finding alongside your hormone levels and imaging results.
This test is one important part of confirming the diagnosis. If the pituitary tumour stains strongly positive for ACTH, it supports a diagnosis of Cushing's disease. However, a final diagnosis also requires elevated cortisol levels in blood or urine tests, imaging findings, and a full clinical assessment by your doctor.
IHC Marker – ACTH Test: Booking, Price, and Results
