Dexamethasone suppression test

Dexamethasone Suppression Test

The Dexamethasone Suppression Test (pronounced as dex-a-meth-a-sone su-press-ion test) is a diagnostic examination used primarily to evaluate disorders related to the adrenal gland.

Etymology

The term "Dexamethasone" is derived from its chemical name, 9α-fluoro-16α-methylprednisolone, while "suppression test" refers to the test's purpose of suppressing the production of certain hormones.

Procedure

The Dexamethasone Suppression Test involves the administration of synthetic steroid dexamethasone, which is expected to suppress the production of cortisol in a healthy individual. The patient's blood or urine is then tested to measure cortisol levels. The test is typically performed in two forms: the low-dose test and the high-dose test.

Interpretation

In a normal response to the Dexamethasone Suppression Test, the pituitary gland should respond to the dexamethasone by decreasing the secretion of ACTH, which in turn reduces cortisol production. If cortisol levels remain high, it indicates that the body is not responding to dexamethasone, which may suggest conditions such as Cushing's syndrome or Cushing's disease.

Related Terms

• Adrenal gland
• Cortisol
• Cushing's syndrome
• Cushing's disease
• ACTH
• Steroid

See Also

• Corticotropin-releasing hormone test
• ACTH stimulation test

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Dexamethasone suppression test
• Wikipedia's article - Dexamethasone suppression test

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