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What Is the Meaning of ACTH?

ACTH stands for adrenocorticotropic hormone. It is a chemical compound secreted by the pituitary gland that helps regulate various functions of the body. ACTH stimulates the production of cortisol and other stress hormones produced by the adrenal glands in reaction to physical or mental stress.

  1. Function

    • The release of ACTH and other hormones into the bloodstream occurs when the organism is faced with environmental danger or psychological stress. The "stress hormones" assist the body in times of "flight or fight" by increasing the heart rate, releasing energizing glucose into the bloodstream, increasing blood pressure, decreasing appetite and digestive function, and suppressing immune function.

    Stimulation

    • ACTH release is brought about by the release of corticotropin-releasing hormone, which is produced in the hypothalamus in response to stimuli received by the central nervous system.

    Effects

    • If they reach unusually high levels in the bloodstream, ACTH and other stress hormones can have damaging long-term effects on health. The high stress of modern life, in which many people are under near-constant psychological pressure, has led to an increase in health conditions attributed to elevated levels of cortisol and other stress hormones.

    Supression

    • A feedback loop that operates through the adrenal cortex regulates the release of ACTH. Glucocorticoids secreted by the adrenal cortex slow the production of corticotropin-releasing hormone in the hypothalamus, which in turn slows producion of ACTH in the pituitary. This effect usually occurs within minutes of the end of the stress stimuli.

    Diagnostic Testing

    • Medical researchers have developed a "ACTH-stimulation" test that measures the production of cortisol by the adrenal cortex in response to an injection of ACTH. The test can determine how the adrenal gland is functioning and diagnose various diseases of the endocrine system, including Addison's disease and Cushing's disease. The test is usually administered early in the morning, when natural levels of cortisol and other stress hormones are normally at their highest.

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