Utility of the low-dose short Synacthen test in diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency

[Nelson Vergel]

Has anyone used the Synacthen test to get diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency (low cortisol output)?

The short Synacthen [tetracosactrin i.e. synthetic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) ] test is routinely used to diagnose adrenal insufficiency, both primary and secondary (i.e. due to hypothalamic-pituitary disorders). Use of the short Synacthen test in assessment of secondary adrenal insufficiency relies on adrenal gland atrophy due to impaired endogenous ACTH secretion and thus cannot be used acutely after hypothalamic-pituitary injury.