Metyrapone test measures which hormone after administration to assess the HPA axis?

Study for the Disorders of the Adrenal Gland Test. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Prepare for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Metyrapone test measures which hormone after administration to assess the HPA axis?

Explanation:
The test works by blocking the enzyme that converts 11-deoxycortisol to cortisol. When this step is blocked, cortisol falls, and the pituitary responds by increasing ACTH. That ACTH stimulation pushes the adrenal cortex to produce more precursors up to the blocked step, especially 11-deoxycortisol, which then accumulates. Measuring 11-deoxycortisol after metyrapone thus directly reflects the ACTH-driven response of the adrenal cortex and overall HPA axis integrity. If 11-deoxycortisol doesn’t rise appropriately, it suggests impaired ACTH secretion or adrenal responsiveness. Aldosterone isn’t the key readout for this test, and cortisol would drop due to the drug rather than serve as the axis assessment marker.

The test works by blocking the enzyme that converts 11-deoxycortisol to cortisol. When this step is blocked, cortisol falls, and the pituitary responds by increasing ACTH. That ACTH stimulation pushes the adrenal cortex to produce more precursors up to the blocked step, especially 11-deoxycortisol, which then accumulates. Measuring 11-deoxycortisol after metyrapone thus directly reflects the ACTH-driven response of the adrenal cortex and overall HPA axis integrity. If 11-deoxycortisol doesn’t rise appropriately, it suggests impaired ACTH secretion or adrenal responsiveness. Aldosterone isn’t the key readout for this test, and cortisol would drop due to the drug rather than serve as the axis assessment marker.

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