Hormone Panel Updated Apr 17, 2026

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) is a hormone made by the pituitary gland that helps regulate cortisol production. On a lab report, ACTH measures the amount of this hormone in the blood and is often reviewed with other hormone results. ACTH on a blood test can help describe how strongly the body is signaling the adrenal glands.

What Is Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)?

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) is a hormone measured in blood that reflects pituitary signaling to the adrenal glands. On a lab report, ACTH is read as a concentration in the bloodstream, not as a red blood cell marker or chemistry value. ACTH on a blood test is commonly used to describe how much of this hormone is circulating at the time of collection.

Why Is Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Tested?

ACTH is measured in a Hormones panel and in targeted endocrine testing, not in a CBC, CMP, lipid panel, or thyroid panel. An ACTH test is often ordered with related hormone markers to show how the body is regulating steroid hormone output. Adrenocorticotropic Hormone on a lab report is useful when a broader hormone picture is being reviewed, especially alongside other blood values that help show timing and balance.

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Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Normal Range

Group Range Unit
Adult Male 7.2–63.3 pg/mL
Adult Female 7.2–63.3 pg/mL

Reference ranges may vary by laboratory and individual factors.

What Does High ACTH Mean?

High ACTH means the measured hormone level is above the Adrenocorticotropic Hormone normal range for that laboratory. In many labs, adult reference ranges are roughly 7.2 to 63.3 pg/mL, and values above the upper limit are often reported as high ACTH. A high ACTH test result can reflect stronger pituitary signaling or a timing effect, because ACTH changes across the day.

Associated factors

Early-morning sample — ACTH follows a daily rhythm, so a morning draw can read higher than later in the day.
Physical stress — recent exertion or other stress can increase ACTH release.
Low body fluid volume — reduced plasma volume can make hormone concentration look higher on the report.
Smoking — nicotine exposure is associated with higher ACTH in some settings.
Certain medications — some medicines can influence pituitary hormone output and shift ACTH upward.
Altitude exposure — lower oxygen at higher altitude can change hormone signaling patterns.
Female reproductive cycle variation — hormone cycling can influence ACTH levels across the month.
Older age variation — ACTH reference patterns can shift with age and testing context.
Recent sleep disruption — changes in sleep timing can alter the normal ACTH rhythm.

What Does Low ACTH Mean?

Low ACTH means the measured value is below the Adrenocorticotropic Hormone normal range. In many labs, an adult ACTH result below about 7.2 pg/mL is considered low ACTH, though the exact Adrenocorticotropic Hormone reference range depends on the assay. A low ACTH test result can reflect weaker pituitary signaling or a sample taken at a time when ACTH is naturally lower.

Associated factors

Afternoon or evening draw — ACTH often falls later in the day, which can produce low ACTH on a blood test.
Recent hormone treatment — steroid-related medicines can suppress ACTH measurement.
High body fluid volume — more plasma can dilute the measured concentration.
Recent high carbohydrate intake — meal timing can shift some hormone rhythms and slightly lower ACTH.
Longer sleep period — ACTH commonly rises and falls with the sleep-wake cycle, so timing matters.
Certain medicines — some drugs can reduce pituitary ACTH output or affect the assay.
Natural day-to-day variation — ACTH can move within an individual even when nothing major changes.
Sample handling delay — ACTH is sensitive to collection and processing conditions, which can make low ACTH appear lower than expected.
Male-female hormone variation — baseline ACTH patterns can differ slightly by sex and cycle timing.

How Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Relates to Other Values

ACTH is often read with cortisol, the main hormone response marker in the same endocrine pathway. It may also be interpreted alongside DHEA-S, which helps show related adrenal output patterns. If a lab report includes cortisol, DHEA-S, and ACTH together, the pattern can describe whether signaling and hormone output are moving in the same direction or in different directions. This is why Adrenocorticotropic Hormone on a lab report is usually reviewed as part of a broader hormone picture rather than alone.

What Factors Affect Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Levels?

ACTH naturally changes by time of day, with higher levels earlier and lower levels later. Hydration status can shift the measured concentration by changing plasma volume, which affects the Adrenocorticotropic Hormone test result. Exercise, sleep timing, and recent stress can also move ACTH above or below the Adrenocorticotropic Hormone normal range. Age, sex, menstrual cycle timing, and pregnancy can all influence the pattern seen on Adrenocorticotropic Hormone on a blood test. Different laboratory methods and sample handling steps may produce small differences between labs.

How It Is Tested

ACTH is measured from a blood draw, usually from a vein in the arm. The lab reports the concentration of ACTH in units such as pg/mL. Because ACTH is a hormone, the sample is often processed carefully to preserve accuracy.

How to Prepare

No fasting is usually required for an ACTH test. The collection time can matter because ACTH varies through the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a normal ACTH level?
A normal ACTH level is commonly reported within the lab’s Adrenocorticotropic Hormone reference range, which is often about 7.2 to 63.3 pg/mL for adults. The exact range varies by method and lab. ACTH on a blood test is best read against the range printed on the report.
What does ACTH stand for?
ACTH stands for adrenocorticotropic hormone. It is a pituitary hormone measured in blood as part of an ACTH test. On a lab report, ACTH helps show the body’s signaling to the adrenal glands.
What does a high Adrenocorticotropic Hormone mean on a lab report?
A high ACTH means the result is above the lab’s Adrenocorticotropic Hormone normal range. This can happen when the sample is drawn early in the day, after physical stress, or with other factors that increase ACTH release. The result is usually read with cortisol and the timing of collection.
What does a low Adrenocorticotropic Hormone mean on a lab report?
A low ACTH means the result is below the lab’s reference range for ACTH. It can reflect afternoon testing, recent hormone medicines, or other factors that reduce measured ACTH. The exact meaning depends on the Adrenocorticotropic Hormone test result and collection time.
Can hydration affect Adrenocorticotropic Hormone?
Yes, hydration can affect ACTH by changing plasma volume and concentration. Less fluid volume can make ACTH look higher, while more fluid volume can make it look lower. This is one reason ACTH on a blood test is interpreted with collection conditions in mind.
What is the difference between ACTH and cortisol?
ACTH is a pituitary hormone signal, while cortisol is a downstream hormone measured in blood. ACTH and cortisol are often reviewed together because they describe different parts of the same hormone pathway. On a lab report, the pair helps show whether signaling and output move together.
What unit is Adrenocorticotropic Hormone measured in?
ACTH is usually measured in pg/mL, or picograms per milliliter. Some labs may use slightly different reporting conventions, but pg/mL is common. The unit should always be read with the Adrenocorticotropic Hormone reference range on the report.
How much can Adrenocorticotropic Hormone change between tests?
ACTH can change noticeably between tests because it follows a daily rhythm and responds to collection conditions. A morning sample may be higher than an afternoon sample even when nothing else has changed. Repeated ACTH test results are best compared using similar timing and lab methods.
Is Adrenocorticotropic Hormone different for men and women?
ACTH is often reported with the same adult reference range for men and women, but small differences can still appear from cycle timing, pregnancy, or other hormone-related factors. Many labs use one Adrenocorticotropic Hormone normal range for both sexes. The report should be interpreted with the lab’s own range.
Why is Adrenocorticotropic Hormone tested in a Hormones panel?
ACTH is tested in a Hormones panel because it helps describe hormone signaling in the blood. The ACTH test is often paired with cortisol or related markers so the report shows a broader endocrine pattern. This makes Adrenocorticotropic Hormone on a lab report more informative than a single value alone.
What does ACTH mean on a blood test?
What does ACTH mean on a blood test? It means the lab measured adrenocorticotropic hormone in the bloodstream. The number is compared with the lab’s ACTH normal range and interpreted with collection time and related hormone values.

Disclaimer

This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendation. Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Always discuss your results with a qualified healthcare professional.

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