Adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency

Synonyms

1

Overview

Adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency (ACTH Deficiency) is a rare endocrine disorder involving a lack of ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) and low levels of cortisol and steroid hormones.

Symptoms

  • Weight loss
  • Anorexia
  • Muscle weakness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Low blood pressure
  • Low blood sugar
  • Low blood sodium level
  • High blood potassium
  • Low ACTH level
  • Low cortisol level
  • Low androgen level
  • Sparse female pubic hair
  • Sparse female armpit hair
  • Reduced skin pigmentation
  • Depression
  • Psychosis

Causes

  • Combined pituitary hormone deficiency, non acquired, non syndromic
  • Culler-Jones syndrome
  • Obesity due to pro-opiomelanocortin Deficiency
  • Panhypopituitarism

Diagnosis

It is usually diagnosed on basis of an ACTH or insulin tolerance test in combination with the clinical symptoms.

Treatment

Treatment is with hydrocortisone supplementation.