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 (Journal Indexed in SCI) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 82 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2015
  • Doi Number: 10.1111/cen.12528
  • Title of Journal : CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY
  • Page Numbers: pp.45-52

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.