What are the results of the Cushing Test? | The Cushing Test

What are the results of the Cushing Test?

In order for the Cushing’s test to be meaningful, the cortisone level in the blood must be determined the day before in the morning. The following morning, the level is determined again after taking dexamethasone the night before. The result of the test thus indicates whether there has been a change in the cortisone level after taking the dexamethasone.

A reduction in the cortisone level indicates a healthy counterregulation and suppression of cortisone production. Constant values or even an increase indicate that the regulatory mechanisms no longer take place and that a Cushing’s syndrome is present. However, it is not possible to determine whether this is caused in the adrenal gland, the pituitary gland or by other malfunctions.

What is the consequence of this test?

A positive Cushing’s test is followed by further diagnostics. In the first place, the determination of “ACTH” in the blood and brain, as well as “CRH”. Different constellations of hormones often give clear indications of the underlying organ.

Furthermore, imaging procedures such as computer tomography can be performed, which can detect possible responsible tumors of the pituitary gland or the adrenal gland. The resulting therapy depends strongly on the cause of the disease. The most common form of Cushing’s syndrome is caused by drug administration of cortisone, which is why the primary measure is to discontinue potential drugs.

Causal tumours can and should be surgically removed as soon as possible. In most cases, the tumours are benign tumours, which is why the disease can be treated definitively with a single operation. The production of cortisone in the body can also be suppressed with medication if surgery does not offer any prospect of curing the disease.

How much does the test cost?

In clinical diagnostics in humans, the test is paid for by the health insurance companies if there is an underlying suspicion. In veterinary medicine, however, the sometimes costly tests must be paid for by the patient himself. Here, too, several test variants with varying degrees of significance are available.

The pure hormone determinations in the blood are more favourable than the multi-stage primary Cushing’s test. Especially the “ACTH” and “CRH” determination can provide important information about the Cushing’s syndrome for about 50€. However, the dexamethasone screening test requires the hormone to be determined twice and dexamethasone to be administered at night. For animals this test often costs between 150 and 200€.

Cushing test on dog and horse

The Cushing’s syndrome can occur frequently, especially in dogs and horses. The symptoms sometimes differ greatly, so that mere examinations of the animals are often not sufficient. Important groundbreaking symptoms include diffuse hair loss, muscle wasting, apathy, fatigue and frequent urination.

Similar to humans, there are also limitations in the immune defence and repair mechanisms in the body, resulting in wound healing disorders and susceptibility to infections. Clear findings do not necessarily have to entail a test. If the symptoms improve quickly after the start of therapy, this also confirms the diagnosis. When carrying out Cushing’s tests, the determination of hormone levels can be preferred to the time-consuming screening test, taking into account the costs involved.