ACTH
This test measures the level of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in a sample of your blood. The normal range is 7.2–63.3 pg/mL for adults, as ARUP Laboratories Test Directory publishes it.
A hormone is a chemical messenger in your bloodstream that controls the actions of certain cells or organs. ACTH tells your adrenal glands, two small glands that sit above your kidneys, to make another hormone called cortisol.
An ACTH test is used to help diagnose and monitor conditions that affect cortisol levels. These conditions include disorders of the pituitary and adrenal glands.
Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of MedicineNormal range
3 published ranges, each from a named source 7.263.3 pg/mL drawn: all ages · ARUP Laboratories Test Directory
- Normal
- 7.2–63.3 pg/mL (varies by lab)ARUP 7.2–63.3 · Mayo 7.2–63 pg/mL
All source ranges (3)
by lab, sex and age, as published ·
| Source | Sex | Age | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Board of Internal Medicine (Laboratory Test Reference Ranges) | All | all ages | 10–60 pg/mL |
| ARUP Laboratories Test Directory | All | all ages | 7.2–63.3 pg/mL |
| Mayo Clinic Laboratories (Pediatric Test Catalog) | All | all ages | 7.2–63 pg/mL |
What a high or low result can mean
LOINC2HPO, Monarch InitiativeA high result Increased circulating ACTH level
A low result Decreased circulating ACTH concentration
This is reference information, not a diagnosis: only a clinician can interpret your result in context.
- Sample
- Serum or plasma · LOINC
- Listed under
- Addison Disease · Adrenal Gland Cancer · Cushing's Syndrome · Hormones · Pituitary Disorders · Pituitary Tumors
- Code
- LOINC 2141-0 · pg/mL
- Also called
- Corticotropin, Cortrosyn
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