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In patients with confirmed hypercortisolism with a high/normal unsuppressed ACTH who have both a pituitary adenoma and adrenal adenoma identified on imaging, can you reliably use DHEA-S to determine the source of cortisol production?

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Can DHEA-S reliably be used to determine the source of cortisol production in patients with confirmed hypercortisolism and high/normal unsuppressed ACTH, who have both a pituitary adenoma and an adrenal adenoma identified on imaging?

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2 Answers
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Endocrinology · Johns Hopkins Endocrinology and Pituitary Center
Answered on

There is a difference between high-normal and unsuppressed ACTH. If ACTH is high-normal, this is ACTH-dependent Cushing. However, you can have mild adrenal Cushing without fully suppressed ACTH (e.g., ACTH in the 10-20 pg/ml range and sometimes even above 20). I don't think you can rely on DHEAS in ...

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Mednet Member
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Endocrinology · Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center Endocrinology
Answered on

DHEAS alone may not be a reliable indicator of the source of hypercortisolism. If ACTH is not suppressed, it is likely that DHEAS may not be low. AVS and/or IPSS may be needed to confirm the source.

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