I had it done. It is a stimulation test. I believe there might be a couple of different types (like a 2 hour test, 30 minute test, low dose, etc.) I'm no expert, but I think the stim test is run to determine the amount of cortisol in your blood and ACTH levels. No matter what stim test they run, they will take a blood draw before you are injected with the stimulant. Following the injection, they will draw blood samples at 30, 60, 90, 120 minutes. Here's a pretty good link describing the test. I didn't think this test was so bad. I broke out in a rash everywhere, but they tell me that is pretty uncommon. (Or so I was told.) I am hypopit, and this is the only test that I've had run so far that has come back within normal limits. I will be retested probably this summer. I hear the OHSU pituitary clinic is fabulous. Good luck! |
