11 - Deoxycortisol Blood Serum
What is this test?
The 11-Deoxycortisol blood test is used to measure the levels of 11-Deoxycortisol in the blood serum. This test is used to diagnose Cushing syndrome and congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
What is the importance of 11-Deoxycortisol?
11-Deoxycortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone, which will be immediately converted into cortisol (stress hormone). This hormone (11-Deoxycortisol) is also called cortexolone or cortodoxone. This is transported by an enzyme known as 11-beta-hydroxylase (11-β-hydroxylase). Cortisol is produced by adrenal glands. Cortisol is the main hormone which is involved in fight-or-flight and stress response and regular blood glucose. If you experience sudden emotions like a threat, the adrenocorticotropic hormone is released in your brain which stimulates the adrenal gland to produce cortisol and adrenaline. When high levels of cortisol are released, it boosts energy and strength. In most cases, the cortisol levels are observed to be highest in the morning and lowest around midnight.
Why is this test performed?
This test may be recommended to you if you experience symptoms like weight loss, change in mental status, dehydration, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. This may be used to diagnose Cushing syndrome, it is an adrenal gland syndrome in which excess of cortisol is released. This test is also used in the diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia an inherited condition in which adrenal gland hormone production will be affected.
Precautions:
Certain medications may interfere with your test results like metyrapone may lead to abnormal levels of 11-Deoxycortisol. Inform your doctor or technician about all your current medications and medical conditions prior to the test. The cortisol levels may be high due to physical stress and trauma, athletes who are highly trained, during the last three months of pregnancy, etc. The abnormal levels of cortisol are observed in individuals working at nights and sleep in the daytime.
Test Preparation
Inform your doctor if you are on any medications, have any allergies or underlying medical conditions before your 11 - Deoxycortisol Blood Serum. Your doctor will give specific instructions depending on your condition on how to prepare for 11 - Deoxycortisol Blood Serum.
You need to relax before taking this test to keep the stress levels low.
Understanding your test results
The normal reference range may vary depending on gender, age, health history, etc.
If your test results are higher than the normal reference range it may indicate congenital adrenal hyperplasia or P450cll deficiency.
If your test results are lower than the normal reference range then it may indicate adrenal insufficiency which leads to Addison disease, head trauma, pituitary microadenoma(benign pituitary gland tumor), hypothalamic tumor, pituitary apoplexy, a hypothalamic disease with a decrease in corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF).
If you get abnormal test results, consult your doctor immediately. Your doctor may recommend other tests depending on your test results.
| Gender | Age groups | Value |
| UNISEX | 0 - 18 years | 344ng/dl |
| UNISEX | > 18 years | 10 - 79 ng/dl |