ACTH, Plasma
Diagnostic Blood Test:
- ACTH, Plasma
The ACTH, Plasma test is a vital tool in the evaluation of adrenal and pituitary gland function. This Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) measurement provides critical insights into the function of the adrenal and pituitary glands. ACTH is a peptide hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland and plays a pivotal role in regulating the body’s stress response by stimulating the adrenal cortex to produce and release cortisol and other glucocorticoids. Monitoring plasma ACTH levels is essential for diagnosing and managing various endocrine disorders that affect cortisol production and overall hormonal balance.
By accurately measuring ACTH levels, healthcare providers can diagnose a range of endocrine disorders, such as:
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Cushing’s Disease: Elevated ACTH levels may indicate Cushing’s disease, a condition characterized by excessive cortisol production due to an ACTH-secreting pituitary tumor. This leads to symptoms such as weight gain, high blood pressure, diabetes, muscle weakness, and osteoporosis.
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Addison’s Disease: Reduced or low ACTH levels can suggest Addison’s disease, an adrenal insufficiency disorder where the adrenal glands do not produce sufficient cortisol and aldosterone. Symptoms include chronic fatigue, muscle weakness, weight loss, low blood pressure, and hyperpigmentation of the skin.
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Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency: Low ACTH levels may also point to secondary adrenal insufficiency, where the pituitary gland fails to produce adequate ACTH, often due to pituitary tumors, surgery, or radiation therapy affecting the pituitary.
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Ectopic ACTH Syndrome: Elevated ACTH levels can be associated with ectopic ACTH syndrome, where ACTH is produced by non-pituitary tumors, leading to excessive cortisol production and Cushingoid features.
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Adrenal Tumors: ACTH levels help differentiate between adrenal and pituitary causes of cortisol excess. Low ACTH with high cortisol levels may indicate an adrenal tumor, while high ACTH suggests a pituitary or ectopic source.
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ACTH, Plasma
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How it works
Purchase your tests
Purchase this test and any other tests you'd like online. A healthcare provider will review and approve your test requests; no healthcare provider visit is required.
Provide your sample
Visit a Labcorp location near you for sample collection. Use our Labcorp locator below to find a location near you.
Get your results
Our partnered facilities will process your bloodwork. Lab Results typically arrive within 14 business days, and we will email them to you as soon as they arrive.
Lab work FAQs
Please read our FAQs page to find out more.
How quickly will my lab results arrive?
Your lab results will typically arrive within two weeks, though processing time may vary based on the size and complexity of your panel. Rest assured, once your results are ready, they will be securely delivered to your email. No waiting rooms. No chasing paperwork. Just precision diagnostics at your fingertips.
Does Marek Diagnostics accept insurance?
Marek Diagnostics is a cash-pay service. Our platform offers direct access to comprehensive testing without the limitations, denials, or delays imposed by insurance companies. If traditional insurance covered the kind of proactive, high-quality lab work we offer, Marek Diagnostics wouldn’t need to exist.
However, many clients successfully use their HSA/FSA to cover their testing costs. Marek Diagnostics is partnered with TrueMed for convenient deployment of HSA/FSA funds at checkout.
My panel Meets Treatment Requirements — what does that mean?
Marek Diagnostics is an extension of Marek Health, the leading health optimization platform designed to turn your results into informed action.
If your panel Meets Treatment Requirements, you’re eligible to enroll into Guided Optimization, an exclusive program that connects you with:
- Detailed, expert led lab analysis
- A consultation with a Marek Health coach and board-certified medical provider
- A precision health optimization plan
- Access to high-quality treatment options
If you’re unsure what to do with your results, Marek Health is the bridge between lab results and achieving your goals.
Do I need to pay a separate fee at the lab to get my blood drawn?
No additional payment is required at the lab. Our expert-built panels include the venipuncture and if you’re building a custom panel or testing biomarkers individually, a $5 venipuncture fee will be automatically added at checkout.