ACTH; adrenal axis/pituitary
Important collection instructions
Requires immediate analysis. This can only be performed at the laboratory in Mönchengladbach, Germany. We'll arrange the appointment for you and contact you after checkout. Not available at regular collection points.
Blood collection at collection point
After your order you receive instructions by email
Make an appointment at a collection point near you
Blood collection at 1,000+ locations across the Netherlands
ACTH, or Adrenocorticotropic Hormone, is a hormone produced in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, a small gland at the base of the brain. ACTH plays a key role in the regulation of the adrenal cortex and stimulates the production and release of cortisol, a hormone essential for the body's response to stress.
Testing ACTH levels can be useful in diagnosing conditions related to the adrenal glands or the pituitary gland. These include Addison’s disease, Cushing’s syndrome, and secondary adrenal insufficiency. This test is particularly important for individuals showing symptoms of these conditions, such as unexplained weight changes, muscle weakness, fatigue, and high or low blood pressure.
ACTH levels in the blood can provide information about how well the pituitary gland and the adrenal glands are functioning. Abnormal levels may indicate issues within these glands, such as pituitary disorders, or adrenal disorders.
A high level of ACTH may indicate Addison’s disease (where the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol). It may also suggest Cushing’s syndrome when the body produces too much cortisol.
A low ACTH level can indicate secondary adrenal insufficiency, where the pituitary gland produces insufficient ACTH, or it may be a sign of a damaged pituitary gland. It can also occur in patients using long-term steroid medication, which suppresses ACTH production.
Blood collection at 1,000+ locations across the Netherlands
Digitally by email once the analysis is complete.
Answers to what people usually want to know.
After ordering we generate a referral letter and email you the instructions. You pick a collection point yourself and book an appointment there. Blood is drawn at the location, processed at the lab, and your result arrives digitally.
Often within a few working days. How soon you can be seen depends on how busy the location is and the type of analysis. For specialist analyses we first ship collection materials, which takes a bit longer.
At most collection points yes. Some accept walk-ins. This is clearly indicated per location. You choose the location that works best for you.
That depends on the test. Whether fasting is required, and from what time, is clearly stated in the instructions you receive after ordering. No surprises at the counter.
It varies per analysis: from same-day to a few working days. Standard values often come back quickly; analyses that go to an external lab can take a bit longer. You get an email with a link to your digital result, including a short explanation per value.
We work with 1,000+ collection points across the Netherlands. After ordering you'll see which locations near you are available and you pick where you'd like to go.
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This test is included in Dutch healthcare guidelines and is regularly used for its respective indications.
Rationale for this test
ACTH-bepaling is een gevestigde diagnostische test binnen de Nederlandse reguliere geneeskunde voor het onderzoeken van bijnier- en hypofyse-aandoeningen. De test wordt gebruikt in combinatie met cortisol-metingen voor de diagnostiek van primaire en secundaire bijnierinsufficiëntie, de ziekte van Addison, en het syndroom van Cushing. De klinische betekenis en diagnostische waarde zijn goed onderbouwd in Nederlandse en internationale richtlijnen.
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Dutch clinical guidelines and healthcare organisations
We recommend consulting these independent sources before ordering a preventive health check.
Brochure on preventive health checks: careful choice, reliability, pros and cons, checklist.
Independent information about preventive health checks from the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment.
Reliable patient information about illnesses and complaints from Dutch GPs (NHG).
Public-facing website of the Dutch Society for Clinical Chemistry with explanations of blood tests and laboratory values.