Which organ produces acth

Search Search. You and Your Hormones. Students Teachers Patients Browse. Human body. Home Hormones Adrenocorticotropic hormone. Its key function is to stimulate the production and release of cortisol from the cortex outer part of the adrenal gland. Alternative names for adrenocorticotropic hormone Adrenocorticotrophin; Corticotropin What is adrenocorticotropic hormone?

Related Glands. Pituitary gland Adrenal glands Hypothalamus View all Glands. Related Endocrine Conditions. Cushing's disease Hypopituitarism Addison's disease Non-functioning pituitary tumours Congenital adrenal hyperplasia Cushing's syndrome View all Endocrine conditions. This causes the adrenal glands to make too much cortisol. Addison disease , a condition in which the adrenal gland doesn't make enough cortisol.

Hypopituitarism , a disorder in which the pituitary gland does not make enough of some or all of its hormones. You may need this test if you have symptoms of too much or too little cortisol.

Symptoms will vary depending on the severity of the disease, but may include the following: Loss of appetite Irregular menstrual periods and infertility in women Loss of body and facial hair in men Lower sex drive in men and women Sensitivity to cold Urinating more often than usual Fatigue. What happens during an ACTH test? Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test? Are there any risks to the test? What do the results mean? Low ACTH and low cortisol levels.

This may mean hypopituitarism. If you have questions about your results, talk to your health care provider. References Family doctor. Washington D. Metabolism; [updated Jul 10; cited Aug 27]; [about 2 screens]. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c— Addison's disease: Diagnosis and treatment; Nov 10 [cited Aug 27]; [about 4 screens]. Uterine smooth muscle Mammary gland. Circadian rhythm; reproduction. Thyroxine T4 Triiodothyronine T3. Metabolic rate; growth and development.

PTH parathyroid hormone. Thymus regresses in adulthood. Pancreas islet cells. Insulin from beta cells. Glucose utilization; blood glucose lowers. Glucagon from alpha cells. Adrenaline Noradrenaline.