ACTH (Cortrosyn) stimulation test

Alternative names:

tests of adrenal reserve

What the risks are:

From venipuncture:

• excessive bleeding
• fainting or feeling lightheaded
• hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
• infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
• multiple punctures to locate veins

Special considerations:

Cortisol amounts vary depending on the time of day. During the first waking hours, the body produces more. The amount decreases the longer a person is awake. If a person normally works nights and sleeps during the day, the test results could be misleading, unless that is taken into account and the time of the test adjusted.