Dexamethasone is a medication commonly used to treat inflammation in the human body. Furthermore, this corticosteroid may also be used in the treatment of certain types of cancer. It suppresses the individual’s immune response and comes as both injections and tablets.
Doctors require patients to undergo a dexamethasone suppression test when taking this medication. They want to measure the individual’s cortisol levels and response to the medication. Furthermore, a doctor may order this test when they suspect a patient has Cushing syndrome, as it can detect this condition. However, patients often have questions before they agree to undergo this test. The following guide to your dexamethasone suppression test will answer many of these questions.
Dexamethasone Suppression Test Types 
Patients will find that there are two tests a doctor may order. Each test may be completed as an overnight test or over 3 days. However, doctors typically order the low-dose overnight version. How does this test work?
When taking the low-dose overnight test, the individual is given a 1 mg dexamethasone pill at approximately 11:00 p.m. The following morning, they have their blood drawn at 8:00 a.m. to assess cortisol levels in their body. The high-dose overnight test is similar, but the patient receives 8 mg of dexamethasone orally.
With the low-dose standard test, the patient collects their urine over 3 days. The doctor provides them with special containers for this urine collection. On the first day, no dexamethasone is given. A 0.5 mg dosage of dexamethasone is administered every 6 hours for 48 hours, starting the day after the initial treatment. The patient returns the containers to the doctor, who then sends them to the lab for testing. The high-dose standard test is similar, but the patient is given 2 mg of dexamethasone every 6 hours for 48 hours.
What is Cortisol?
Cortisol is a stress hormone that the body usually produces. When a person is under stress, their adrenal glands begin making this hormone; however, individuals whose cortisol levels remain chronically high often become ill.
Dexamethasone is the man-made version of this hormone. When a person takes this medication, their adrenal glands typically respond by producing less cortisol. Individuals with Cushing syndrome, however, will find their cortisol levels remain high.
Doctors order this test to see any changes in the patient’s cortisol levels upon taking the medication. They also want to know how much these levels change. With the help of the test results, the doctor can determine if a patient is struggling with excess adrenocorticotropic hormone, a hormone the pituitary gland makes.
Understanding the Results
When the doctor receives the test results, they contact the patient to share what they have learned. Most people find that their cortisol levels decrease after taking this medication. If the test results are abnormal, the doctor will share potential causes with the patient. A high cortisol level may indicate hypercortisolism. The doctor can then develop a treatment plan for the patient. They may also choose to order additional tests to gather more information before creating this treatment plan.
The patient should not panic when their doctor orders the dexamethasone suppression test. This test is highly safe and can provide answers about their health. Doctors are always willing to answer questions to help patients understand why a test is being ordered and what the results may indicate. With this information, individuals can take greater control of their health. [/url] [url=https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/whatsapp?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fsunoshayari.com%2Funderstanding-the-dexamethasone-suppression-test%2F&linkname=Understanding%20the%20Dexamethasone%20Suppression%20Test] [/url] [url=https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/twitter?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fsunoshayari.com%2Funderstanding-the-dexamethasone-suppression-test%2F&linkname=Understanding%20the%20Dexamethasone%20Suppression%20Test] |
