Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
All processes in the human body are regulated by hormones - substances that are produced by the endocrine glands and are thrown into the blood. With the blood flow, they get to the right place, the so-called target, where they have a certain effect. In particular, adrenocorticotropic hormone (second name is corticotropin) is produced in the brain, in the anterior pituitary gland. Its function in the body is to affect the adrenal glands, which, in turn, are also endocrine glands, secreting hormones that are very important for normal life.
Functions of adrenocorticotropic hormone in the body
Adrenocorticotropic hormone affects the production of the following adrenal hormones:
Glucocorticoids, which include corticosterone, cortisone, cortisol
Glucocorticoids are anti-shock and anti-stress hormones, they can be compared to the emergency system in the body, a kind of 911 service;
Sex hormones: androgens, estrogens, progesterone
These hormones are responsible for puberty, the body's reproductive functions, and what we define as masculinity or femininity;
Indirectly - on the production of catecholamines, which include the well-known adrenaline
Thus, corticotropin is responsible for survival in critical situations, it affects the ability to produce offspring, muscle mass, metabolism, the body's resistance to infections and the ability to adapt to new conditions depend on it. As you can see, the importance of adrenocorticotropic hormone in the body can hardly be overestimated.
Determination of the level of ACTH in the blood: norm and pathology
The content of adrenocorticotropic hormone in the body is variable. Its level in the blood depends on the time of day, and on the psychological state, and on physical activity, and in women also on the menstrual cycle.
The maximum amount of ACTH accumulates in the blood in the morning, reaching its peak by 7-8 o'clock, and by the evening its production decreases, dropping to the daily minimum at 21-23 o'clock.
In medical practice, the need to determine the level of adrenocorticotropic hormone in the blood serum occurs in the following situations:
- Monitoring the state of the body during long-term glucocorticoid therapy;
- Differential diagnosis of hypertension;
- Differential diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency;
- Diagnostics and differential diagnostics of Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome;
- Increased fatigue, stress instability, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
Both a deficiency and an excess of this hormone can lead to serious disruptions in the body, or be a consequence of a disease.
A low level of ACTH in the blood can be a sign of the following pathologies:
- Decreased pituitary function (pituitary insufficiency);
- Decreased function of the adrenal cortex (adrenal insufficiency);
- Tumors of the adrenal glands.
Also, a low level of adrenocorticotropin occurs during glucocorticoid therapy.
An increase in serum ACTH levels may indicate the following problems:
- Itsenko-Cushing's disease;
- Addison's disease;
- Pituitary tumor;
- Congenital adrenal insufficiency;
- Adrenoleukodystrophy;
- Nelson's syndrome;
- Adrenal virilism;
- Ectopic ACTH syndrome;
- Ectopic CRH syndrome;
- The state of the body after injuries or surgical interventions.
Also, an increase in the level of ACTH occurs when taking certain medications (insulin, metopirone, ACTH injections).
ACTH blood test
To study the content of corticotropin in the blood serum, blood is taken from a vein.
Since the level of the hormone depends on many factors, it is necessary to prepare for the analysis - this will be sure that the result is not distorted.
Preparation for analysis is carried out as follows:
- 24 hours before donating blood for analysis, you must stop taking all medicines;
- Try to eliminate any physical and psycho-emotional stress in 24 hours;
- 12 hours before the study, not later - the last meal before the analysis;
- No smoking is allowed 3 hours before the examination.
The normal, or reference, ACTH value when measured under laboratory conditions is an indicator from 9 to 52 pg / ml (picograms per milliliter).
Adrenocorticotropic hormone in therapy
ACTH is obtained for medical purposes from the pituitary gland of pigs or cattle.
It comes to pharmacies in vials as a light powder. This drug is taken in the form of intramuscular injections, for which the powder is dissolved before use. The concentration, as well as the dosage, is selected depending on the indications.
ACTH is used in the treatment of the following diseases:
- Chronic fatigue syndrome;
- Adrenal insufficiency;
- Rheumatism;
- Polyarthritis;
- Gout;
- Bronchial asthma;
- Skin diseases with an allergic or autoimmune component (dermatitis, eczema, neurodermatitis);
- Allergy;
- Tuberculosis;
- Leukemia.
The use of corticotropin is contraindicated in hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart failure, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, severe forms of diabetes mellitus, psychosis. For elderly people, hormone injections are prescribed with caution and carried out under medical supervision.
Information about the drug is generalized, provided for informational purposes only and does not replace the official instructions. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
