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Hormones Home collection available

Adreno Cortico Tropic Hormone (ACTH)

Parameters1 tested
SampleBlood
FastingNot required
Report inSame day

How to prepare

No fasting needed

You can eat and drink normally before the test.

Good to know

No special preparation needed.

Medicines

Tell our phlebotomist about any medicines you take. Don't stop them without asking your doctor.

Comfortable clothes

Wear a loose sleeve so the sample can be taken easily from your arm.

How it works

Book onlinePick a time slot
Home visitSealed, sterile kit
Lab testingBarcode tracked
ReportIn same day

About this test

ACTH is a hormone from the pituitary gland that tells the adrenal glands to make cortisol. Measuring ACTH with cortisol helps find where a cortisol problem starts.

Why is this test done?

  • Find the cause of high or low cortisol
  • Investigate Cushing's syndrome or Addison's disease
  • Check pituitary function

Symptoms — when should you get tested?

  • Weight gain on face and belly
  • Severe weakness and low BP
  • Darkening of skin
  • Purple stretch marks

Normal range

Morning (7–10 AM) 7.2 – 63.3 pg/mL

Reference ranges differ slightly between labs, methods, age and sex. Always discuss your report with your doctor.

If your result is high

High ACTH can come from a pituitary tumour or from adrenal failure where the pituitary is trying harder.

Common reasons
  • Cushing's disease (pituitary)
  • Addison's disease
  • ACTH-producing tumours

If your result is low

Low ACTH can mean an adrenal tumour making cortisol, steroid use or pituitary failure.

Common reasons
  • Adrenal tumour
  • Steroid medicines
  • Pituitary damage

How is the test done?

  1. 1
    Book online

    Choose your slot for home collection or a visit to our centre.

  2. 2
    Blood sample taken

    A trained phlebotomist takes a small blood sample from a vein in your arm with a sealed, single-use needle. It takes about 2 minutes.

  3. 3
    Tested in our lab

    Your barcoded sample is tested on automated machines with strict quality checks.

  4. 4
    Report on WhatsApp

    A pathologist checks the result and the report reaches you on WhatsApp and email.

Frequently asked questions

It is taken in the morning in a chilled tube and processed quickly, as ACTH breaks down easily.

No fasting is needed for this test. You can eat and drink normally.

Your report is usually ready in same day after the sample reaches our lab. We send it on WhatsApp and email, and you can also download it from the Reports page.

Please call our team to confirm whether home sample collection is available for your location and test.

This test needs a blood sample. No special preparation needed.

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