ACTH
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ACTH
ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, located below the brain. ACTH activates glands on the kidneys (adrenal glands) to make cortisol, a substance that helps the body deal with stress.
When cortisol levels in the blood rise, the ACTH levels in a healthy person normally fall in response. When cortisol levels decrease, ACTH levels normally rise.
Credits
| Author | Bets Davis, MFA |
| Editor | Maria Essig |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | David C.W. Lau, MD, PhD, FRCPC - Endocrinology & Metabolism |
| Last Updated | June 26, 2008 |
| Last updated: | June 26, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Bets Davis, MFA |
| Reviewed By: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, David C.W. Lau, MD, PhD, FRCPC - Endocrinology & Metabolism |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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