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McMaster Textbook of Internal Medicine

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)

How to Cite This Chapter: Don-Wauchope A, Chetty VT, Ivica J, Kavsak P, Khan WI, Lafreniere M, Nouri K, Solnica B. Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH). McMaster Textbook of Internal Medicine. Kraków: Medycyna Praktyczna. https://empendium.com/mcmtextbook/chapter/B31.1269.3.7.97. Accessed December 05, 2025.
Last Reviewed: May 9, 2022
Last Updated: May 9, 2022
Chapter Information

For a brief introduction and guide to abbreviations, see Laboratory Tests: General Remarks.

Analyte [material]

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) [S/P]

Reference range, target level, or decision threshold

2.2-13.2 pmol/L (10-60 ng/L) depending on method!!!

Interpretation of results

<1.1 pmol/L (5 ng/L) with hypercortisolemia suggests ACTH-independent Cushing syndrome

If ACTH is not suppressed (>4.4 pmol/L [20 ng/L]) in the presence of hypercortisolemia, consider ACTH-dependent Cushing syndrome; if ACTH is 2-4 pmol/L (10-20 ng/L), CRH stimulation testing is indicated.

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