A comparison of low-dose ACTH, glucagon stimulation and insulin tolerance test in patients with pituitary disorders

Simsek Y., Karaca Z. C., TANRIVERDİ F., ÜNLÜHİZARCI K., SELÇUKLU A., Kelestimur F.

CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY, vol.82, no.1, pp.45-52, 2015 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 82 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2015
  • Doi Number: 10.1111/cen.12528
  • Journal Name: CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.45-52
  • Erciyes University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

ContextDiagnosis of secondary adrenal insufficiency and GH deficiency requires evaluation by dynamic stimulation tests in most cases. Although insulin tolerance test (ITT) is accepted as the gold-standard test for the evaluation of both hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and (GH)-IGF-1 axes, the test is cumbersome. In clinical practice, low-dose adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test is a sensitive, safe and easily applicable alternative to ITT. Although it takes more time, glucagon stimulation test (GST) is also a good alternative to ITT and can evaluate both axes.