Cosyntropin
Encyclopedia
Cosyntropin is a synthetic
derivative
of adrenocorticotropic hormone
(ACTH) that is used in the ACTH stimulation test
to evaluate and diagnose
cortisol
disorders. Cosyntropin contains only the first 24 (of a total 39) amino acid
s of ACTH but retains full function.
In patients with low cortisol levels or symptoms of adrenocortical
insufficiency, cosyntropin can be used to diagnose Addison's disease
. A failure for serum cortisol
levels to increase after administration of cosyntropin makes a diagnosis of primary adrenocortical insufficiency more likely. An increase in cortisol upon administration of cosyntropin rules out the condition.
Synthetic
Synthesis, the combination of two or more parts, whether by design or by natural processes. Furthermore, it may imply being prepared or made artificially, in contrast to naturally.-In the sense of combination:* Synthetic position, a concept in finance...
derivative
Derivative (chemistry)
In chemistry, a derivative is a compound that is derived from a similar compound by some chemical or physical process. In the past it was also used to mean a compound that can be imagined to arise from another compound, if one atom is replaced with another atom or group of atoms, but modern...
of adrenocorticotropic hormone
Adrenocorticotropic hormone
Adrenocorticotropic hormone , also known as 'corticotropin', 'Adrenocorticotrophic hormone', is a polypeptide tropic hormone produced and secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. It is an important component of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and is often produced in response to biological...
(ACTH) that is used in the ACTH stimulation test
ACTH stimulation test
The ACTH stimulation test is a medical test usually ordered and interpreted by endocrinologists to assess the functioning of the adrenal glands stress response by measuring the adrenal response to adrenocorticotropic hormone...
to evaluate and diagnose
Medical diagnosis
Medical diagnosis refers both to the process of attempting to determine or identify a possible disease or disorder , and to the opinion reached by this process...
cortisol
Cortisol
Cortisol is a steroid hormone, more specifically a glucocorticoid, produced by the adrenal gland. It is released in response to stress and a low level of blood glucocorticoids. Its primary functions are to increase blood sugar through gluconeogenesis; suppress the immune system; and aid in fat,...
disorders. Cosyntropin contains only the first 24 (of a total 39) amino acid
Amino acid
Amino acids are molecules containing an amine group, a carboxylic acid group and a side-chain that varies between different amino acids. The key elements of an amino acid are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen...
s of ACTH but retains full function.
In patients with low cortisol levels or symptoms of adrenocortical
Adrenal cortex
Situated along the perimeter of the adrenal gland, the adrenal cortex mediates the stress response through the production of mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids, including aldosterone and cortisol respectively. It is also a secondary site of androgen synthesis.-Layers:Notably, the reticularis in...
insufficiency, cosyntropin can be used to diagnose Addison's disease
Addison's disease
Addison’s disease is a rare, chronic endocrine disorder in which the adrenal glands do not produce sufficient steroid hormones...
. A failure for serum cortisol
Cortisol
Cortisol is a steroid hormone, more specifically a glucocorticoid, produced by the adrenal gland. It is released in response to stress and a low level of blood glucocorticoids. Its primary functions are to increase blood sugar through gluconeogenesis; suppress the immune system; and aid in fat,...
levels to increase after administration of cosyntropin makes a diagnosis of primary adrenocortical insufficiency more likely. An increase in cortisol upon administration of cosyntropin rules out the condition.