Prague Med. Rep. 2016, 117, 18-33

https://doi.org/10.14712/23362936.2016.2

A Comparison of Salivary Steroid Levels during Diagnostic Tests for Adrenal Insufficiency

Michaela Dušková1, Kateřina Šimůnková2, Jana Vítků1, Lucie Sosvorová1, Hana Jandíková1, Hana Pospíšilová1, Monika Šrámková1, Mikuláš Kosák2, Michal Kršek2, Václav Hána2, Magdaléna Žánová3, Drahomíra Springer3, Luboslav Stárka1

1Institute of Endocrinology, Prague, Czech Republic
23rd Department of Medicine – Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
3Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic

Received December 2, 2015
Accepted February 24, 2016

Numerous diagnostic tests are used to evaluate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis). The gold standard is still considered the insulin tolerance test (ITT), but this test has many limitations. Current guidelines therefore recommend the Synacthen test first when an HPA axis insufficiency is suspected. However, the dose of Synacthen that is diagnostically most accurate and sensitive is still a matter of debate. We investigated 15 healthy men with mean/median age 27.4/26 (SD ±4.8) years, and mean/median BMI (body mass index) 25.38/24.82 (SD ±3.2) kg/m2. All subjects underwent 4 dynamic tests of the HPA axis, specifically 1 μg, 10 μg, and 250 μg Synacthen (ACTH) tests and an ITT. Salivary cortisol, cortisone, pregnenolone, and DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) were analysed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. During the ITT maximum salivary cortisol levels over 12.5 nmol/l were found at 60 minutes. Maximum cortisol levels in all of the Synacthen tests were higher than this; however, demonstrating that sufficient stimulation of the adrenal glands was achieved. Cortisone reacted similarly as cortisol, i.e. we did not find any change in the ratio of cortisol to cortisone. Pregnenolone and DHEA were higher during the ITT, and their peaks preceded the cortisol peak. There was no increase of pregnenolone or DHEA in any of the Synacthen tests. We demonstrate that the 10 μg Synacthen dose is sufficient stimulus for testing the HPA axis and is also a safe and cost-effective alternative. This dose also largely eliminates both false negative and false positive results.

Funding

This study was supported by grant NT 11277-6 IGA of the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic.

References

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