Diagnosing SA diseases

Question 1

How to Diagnose Typical Addison’s Dx?

Answer 1

ACTH stim

• The only definitive test for Addison’s disease is the ACTH stimulation test
• A normal animal will show an elevation in cortisol in response to ACTH while an Addisonian has no corticosteroids to respond with.
• This lack of response is diagnostic for Addison’s disease; however, a false positive may be obtained if corticosteroids have been used in the treatment of the crisis prior to the test.
• Of all the commonly used corticosteroids, only dexamethasone does not interfere with the assay for cortisol; if any other steroid has been used, the test will not be valid for at least a couple of days.