Dexamethason Suppression Test Flashcards
(6 cards)
What is the dexamethasone suppression est?
Dexamethasone is given overnight and checked
What are the findings in a person with normal physiology for low dose dexamethasone suppression test?
Overnight test will cause low cortisol and ACTH
Low dexamethasone suppression test: Low ACTH but high cortisol
High dexamethasone test: low ACTH and cortisol
High cortisol in isolation from either of two sources:
Exogenous steroids
Adrenal adenoma
To differentiate, assess medication history or do a CT scan for adrenal gland
Low dexamethasone suppression test: high ACTH and high cortisol
ACTH production from:
Small cell cancer og lungs
Pituitary adenoma like CUshing’s disease
How to differentiate between cancer cause of ACTH and pituitary adenoma?
high dexamethaosne will lower ACTH in pituitary adenoma.
In lung cancer, ACTH will remain high even with high dexamethasone
What are the dexamethasone suppression like in a PTSD patient?
Exaggerated
Patients with PTSD have low cortisol
