ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic Hormone) Test in Kathmandu

About this test

ACTH is the messenger hormone released by the pituitary gland at the base of the brain, and its job is to instruct the adrenal glands sitting above each kidney to make cortisol — the body's main stress and metabolism hormone. Because the two hormones rise and fall together in a feedback loop, ACTH is rarely measured alone; your doctor reads it side by side with a cortisol level drawn at the same moment, and that pairing is what tells them where a problem really lies. A high cortisol with high ACTH points to the pituitary or to an ACTH-producing tumour elsewhere in the body, whereas a high cortisol with suppressed ACTH points to the adrenal gland itself. The reverse pattern helps separate the causes of an underactive adrenal system. Doctors order this test when they suspect Cushing's syndrome — unexplained weight gain around the trunk and face, purple stretch marks, thinning skin, easy bruising, high blood pressure or new diabetes — or when they suspect Addison's disease, which can cause persistent fatigue, weight loss, low blood pressure, salt craving and a tanned darkening of the skin and gums. In Nepal, where tuberculosis remains common, TB is an important and sometimes overlooked cause of adrenal failure, so ACTH testing carries particular weight here. Timing and careful handling matter a great deal: the hormone follows a strong day-night rhythm and breaks down rapidly at room temperature, which is why the morning draw and the chilled, fast-tracked sample are not just formalities but essential to a reliable result.

Sample type

Whole blood (EDTA, chilled)

Preparation

Sample is usually drawn between 7 and 9 in the morning, when levels are naturally highest. Try to rest and avoid stress before the draw. Tell us if you take steroid medicines (tablets, inhalers, creams or joint injections), as these affect the result. The tube must be kept cold and reach the laboratory quickly, so this test is best done on site.

Turnaround time

Reports for ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic Hormone) are typically ready within: Same Day. Reports can be collected at the clinic during opening hours or shared via WhatsApp once they are ready.

Also known as

Other hormones tests we run

These are routinely ordered alongside ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic Hormone) or as part of the same diagnostic workup.

How to book

WhatsApp is the fastest way — message us with the test name and your preferred time, and we'll confirm a slot the same day. You can also walk into the clinic at Rumba Chowk, Sanobharang any day between 7AM and 8PM, or fill in our online booking form.