Q: i was dx'd with cah 34 years ago. now i have high cortisol (28) lowered acth (11.2) and almost 0 aldosterone (<1.0). is this typical of cah?

CAH: There are different forms of CAH. The most common is 21 hydroxylase deficiency. This typically results in low normal cortisol, normal ACTH, low normal aldosterone. The diagnostic test will be a high 17 hydroxyprogesterone level. You should see an endocrinologist to confirm your diagnosis.

Question 1

what health issues are related to high acth and high prolactin?

Accepted Answer

Pituitary: Both hormones are produced by your pituitary. So processes that effect your pitiuitary. That can be primary pituitary gland problems, but often the gland can be effected by stress or other medical problems.

Question 2

i have high acth level what does it mean ?

Accepted Answer

Need more info: Hi. Have you been diagnosed with Cushing's? If not, it means nothing. Illness and physiologic stress can drive up ACTH, and ACTH shows diurnal variation. Without knowing the time of day it was drawn and your physiologic circumstances, it means nothing. And yet, the doc who ordered it was considering something, so really don't have enough info to say. Good luck!

Question 3

what can high acth levels at 2:30pm indicate? i'm trying to figure out what is causing my chronic fatigue syndrome.

Accepted Answer

Deficiency: The high acth levels could indicate sluggish function of your adrenal glands as seen in Addison's disease which can cause chronic fatigue as well as electrolyte abnormalities. However an endocrinologist is best qualified to evaluate andtreat you and investigate the cause of your elevated acth level.

Question 4

high cortisol level in evening , high acth level131pg...mild hypertension.., no mass in suprarenal gland , cuahing appearance..cause?

Accepted Answer

Possible pituitary: Having a high cortisol with a high acth level is indicative of acth dependent cushings disease.  This is a rare disorder due to a pituitary adenoma making too much acth.  You may or may not be able to see an abnormality on ct scan or MRI of the pituitary.  You should do Dexamethasone suppression testing to confirm the diagnosis.  Sometimes the acth is coming from a source outside of the pituitary.

Question 5

in patients with addison's (high acth) and intermittent ovarian failure (very high fsh at times), could a 1cm pituitary adenoma be hyperplasia from these conditions?  if so, do these tumors grow?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Pituitary adenoma grows slowly. Most are small.

Question 6

sudden attack of nausea+dizziness+weakness, weak bones, full abdominal bloating, weight gain.incre thirst, puffy face+eyes, breast swollen. high acth levl?

Accepted Answer

See your doctor: You should see your primary provider. Get one if you do not have one. Those problems deserve a careful and thorough assessment that cannot be given online.

Question 7

24 hours urinary free cortisol level(3 samples) is high,but acth (blood)is normal.have i got cushing's syndrome or these values depends to my obesity?

Accepted Answer

Depends on the level: but it's a reason to get a simple ultrasound to look at adrenals and ovaries.
(a slight elevation of the cortisol is not very specific and while correlating with obesity which causes which gets ...tricky. A BIG elevation of it pretty much has to be from overproduction by the adrenals).

Question 8

have pituitary adenoma and ai, take 20-30mg hydrocortisone daily.  after holding hydrocortisone for testing, acth measures over 60 (high) with cortisol around 10.  what type(s) of ai do this?

Accepted Answer

Addison's disease: If the acth goes up, the pituitary is still working with regard to acth secretion. The acth would be low if you had pituitary insufficiency from an adenoma or from too much hydrocortisone.

Question 9

what is the cause of hyperpigmentation. is it related to high levels of acth?

Accepted Answer

Multiple reasons: Hyperpigmentation may be caused by sun damage, inflammation, or other skin injuries, including those related to acne vulgaris. In cushing's disease, there is excessive adrenocorticotropic hormone (acth) production, which leads to hyperpigmentation because msh (melanocyte stimulating hormone) production is a byproduct of acth synthesis from proopiomelanocortin (pomc).

Question 10

i was dx'd with cah 34 years ago. now i have high cortisol (28) lowered acth (11.2) and almost 0 aldosterone (<1.0). is this typical of cah?

Accepted Answer

CAH: There are different forms of CAH.  The most common is 21 hydroxylase deficiency.  This typically results in low normal cortisol, normal ACTH, low normal aldosterone.  The diagnostic test will be a high 17 hydroxyprogesterone level.  You should see an endocrinologist to confirm your diagnosis.

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Doctor answers about:

Acth high

A member asked:

What health issues are related to high acth and high prolactin?

A member asked:

I have high acth level what does it mean ?

A member asked:

What can high acth levels at 2:30pm indicate? i'm trying to figure out what is causing my chronic fatigue syndrome.

A member asked:

High cortisol level in evening , high acth level131pg...mild hypertension.., no mass in suprarenal gland , cuahing appearance..cause?

A member asked:

In patients with addison's (high acth) and intermittent ovarian failure (very high fsh at times), could a 1cm pituitary adenoma be hyperplasia from these conditions? if so, do these tumors grow?

A member asked:

Sudden attack of nausea+dizziness+weakness, weak bones, full abdominal bloating, weight gain.incre thirst, puffy face+eyes, breast swollen. high acth levl?

A member asked:

24 hours urinary free cortisol level(3 samples) is high,but acth (blood)is normal.have i got cushing's syndrome or these values depends to my obesity?

A member asked:

Have pituitary adenoma and ai, take 20-30mg hydrocortisone daily. after holding hydrocortisone for testing, acth measures over 60 (high) with cortisol around 10. what type(s) of ai do this?

A member asked:

What is the cause of hyperpigmentation. is it related to high levels of acth?

A member asked:

I was dx'd with cah 34 years ago. now i have high cortisol (28) lowered acth (11.2) and almost 0 aldosterone (<1.0). is this typical of cah?

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