Serum adrenocorticotropic hormone; Adrenocorticotropic hormone; Highly-sensitive ACTH

Normal values: 9 - 52 pg/mL

Note: pg/mL = picograms per milliliter

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

Higher than normal levels of ACTH may be due to:

• Addison's disease
• Adrenoleukodystrophy (very rare)
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
• Cushing's disease
• Ectopic tumor producing ACTH
• Nelson's syndrome (very rare)

Lower than normal levels of ACTH may be due to:

• Cushing syndrome related to adrenal tumor
• Exogenous Cushing syndrome
• Pituitary insufficiency

Other conditions under which the test may be performed:

• Hypopituitarism
• Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) I

Images

Endocrine glands

Previous Section

ACTH Overview

Next Section

ACTH Risks

Review Date: 10/14/2009
Reviewed By: Ari S. Eckman, MD, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)