cortisol tests

Question 1

this is the screening test for cushing’s

Answer 1

ACTH response test

Question 2

this test evaluates adrenal glands differently using feedback loop

Answer 2

Dexamethasone Supression Test

• you inject dexamethasone (a glucocorticoid) to suppress ACTH release from the Anterior Pituitary Gland - in a normal animal, cortisol levels will decrease.
  In cushing’s dogs, cortisol levels will

Question 3

(low/high) dosage dexamethasone suppression test confrims/replaces ACTH test for hyperfunction. it differentiates normal from hyper function (cushing’s or not)

Answer 3

low dosage

Question 4

cushing’s animals are resistant to (low/high) dosage

Answer 4

low
- the amount given doesn’t have an effect - adrenal glands are still just producing cortisol on their own, no matter if the releasing hormone is suppressed a bit or not

Question 5

(low/high) dosage dexamethasone suppression test differentiates pituitary from adrenal problem (causing hyperfunction)

Answer 5

high

Question 6

If unresponsive to all dexamethasone dosage, the problem is (pituitary/adrenal)

Answer 6

adrenal

Question 7

if responsive to the high dosage test (but not low), the problem is (pituitary/adrenal)

Answer 7

pituitary