Pathology

 Eastern Health Pathology no longer administers the Short Synacthen Test, it needs to be arranged through Endocrinology  or the appropriate ward.

Please contact Vanessa from Endocrinology on 0408 128 193 to arrange a booking for this test.  Please note the test can only be performed on a Tuesday. 

The Short Synacthen Test may be requested in the investigation of patients for "Addison's disease", "Adrenal failure" or Congenital Adrenal Hypoplasia" (CAH).

The test involves IM/IV administration of 250 micrograms of synacthen (synthetic ACTH) by an appropriate clinician.

Eastern Health Pathology no longer administers the Synacthen,this is done by the Eastern Health Endocrine unit or the appropriate ward.

Every synacthen test must have cortisol measured on all 3 serum tubes.

See ACTH instructions for processing of EDTA sample. (collect onto Ice and send immediately to the laboratory)

If the synacthen test is for  " Congenital Adrenal Hypoplasia"/"CAH", Each serum sample must also have 17-hydroxyprogesterone (in addition to cortisol ) measured.

Endocrine consultation is suggested for Long synacthen Test.

The Short Synacthen Test may be requested in the investigation of patients for "Addison's disease", "Adrenal failure" or Congenital Adrenal Hypoplasia" (CAH).

The test involves IM/IV administration of 250 micrograms of synacthen (synthetic ACTH) by an appropriate clinician.

Laboratory staff: the first Cortisol specimen should be booked in as 'SYN' this is the test code for the synacthen stimulation test. Subsequent samples collected at 30 and 60 mins should be booked in as CORTX

An adequate adrenal response is usually indicated by any absolute cortisol value >550 nmol/L with an increase of > 200 nmol/L above baseline level.