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Aldosterone-Renin Ratio (ARR) Test: Primary Aldosteronism, Blood Pressure, and Results

Learn how the aldosterone–renin ratio screens for primary aldosteronism, how medicines and potassium affect it, and what positive, negative, or borderline results mean.

The aldosterone–renin ratio is the standard blood-screening approach for primary aldosteronism, a common hormonal cause of high blood pressure. The test measures aldosterone and...

Androstenedione Blood Test: High, Low, Adrenal Hormones, and Results

Learn why androstenedione is tested, what high or low levels may mean, how adrenal and gonadal sources differ, and which follow-up hormones confirm the cause.

An androstenedione blood test measures a steroid that the adrenal glands and gonads make on the way to testosterone and estrogens. Doctors use it...

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) Test Panel: 17-OHP, Androgens, and Results

Learn how a CAH test panel uses 17-OHP, cortisol, androgens, renin, aldosterone, stimulation, and genetics to identify enzyme deficiencies and monitor treatment safely.

A congenital adrenal hyperplasia test panel measures steroid precursors, cortisol, and androgens to locate an inherited enzyme block in adrenal hormone production. For the...

Cortisol Blood Test: High, Low, Normal Range, Stress, and Adrenal Function

Learn how timing, stress, medicines, binding proteins, ACTH, and dynamic testing determine what high, low, or normal cortisol blood results mean for adrenal function.

A cortisol blood test measures the adrenal glucocorticoid that supports blood pressure, metabolism, immune regulation, and the response to illness. The number is meaningful...

Cushing Syndrome Test Panel: Late-Night Cortisol, Urine Free Cortisol, Dexamethasone, ACTH, and Results

Learn how late-night cortisol, 24-hour urine free cortisol, dexamethasone suppression, ACTH, imaging, and repeat testing work together to diagnose Cushing syndrome.

A Cushing syndrome test panel does not mean drawing several random hormones at once. Diagnosis follows a sequence: first exclude external glucocorticoid exposure, then...

Deoxycorticosterone (DOC) Test: Adrenal Hormone, Blood Pressure, and Results

Understand what a deoxycorticosterone (DOC) blood test measures, why high DOC can cause low-renin hypertension and low potassium, and how results are interpreted.

A deoxycorticosterone test measures 11-deoxycorticosterone, usually shortened to DOC, in blood. DOC is an adrenal steroid made along the pathway that produces corticosterone and...

DHEA Blood Test: High, Low, Normal Range, Adrenal Function, and Results

Learn what a DHEA blood test measures, why levels may be high or low, how age and timing affect the normal range, and which adrenal hormone tests may come next.

A DHEA blood test measures dehydroepiandrosterone, a steroid hormone made mainly by the adrenal glands. DHEA is a building block that the body can...

DHEA-S Blood Test: High, Low, Normal Range, Adrenal Androgens, and Results

Understand what a DHEA-S blood test shows, normal ranges by age and sex, causes of high or low adrenal androgen levels, and the follow-up tests used to interpret results.

A DHEA-S blood test measures dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, the most abundant adrenal androgen in circulation. The adrenal glands make DHEA and add a sulfate group...

High-Dose Dexamethasone Suppression Test: Cushing Disease and Results

Learn how the high-dose dexamethasone suppression test is used in ACTH-dependent Cushing syndrome, what 50% cortisol suppression means, and why other localization tests are often needed.

The high-dose dexamethasone suppression test is an older dynamic hormone test used after ACTH-dependent Cushing syndrome has been established. It asks whether a large...

Late-Night Cortisol Test: High Levels, Cushing Syndrome Screening, and Results

Learn how late-night cortisol screening detects loss of the normal cortisol rhythm, what high salivary results mean, common false positives, and which Cushing tests usually follow.

A late-night cortisol test checks whether cortisol falls to its normal low point near bedtime. Healthy cortisol production follows a daily rhythm: levels rise...

Low-Dose Dexamethasone Suppression Test: Cushing Syndrome Screening and Results

Understand the 1-mg low-dose dexamethasone suppression test, the common cortisol cutoff of 1.8 mcg/dL, causes of nonsuppression, and the follow-up used for Cushing screening.

The low-dose dexamethasone suppression test checks whether a small dose of synthetic glucocorticoid can turn down the body’s cortisol production. It is one of...

Morning Cortisol Test: Low Levels, Adrenal Insufficiency, and Results

Learn how an 8–9 a.m. cortisol test screens for adrenal insufficiency, what low and intermediate results mean, how ACTH helps identify the cause, and when stimulation testing is needed.

A morning cortisol test measures cortisol near the time it should naturally be highest, usually between 8 and 9 a.m. It is often the...

Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma Test Panel: Metanephrines, Normetanephrine, Catecholamines, and Results

Learn how a pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma panel uses plasma or urine metanephrines, normetanephrine, catecholamines, and controlled collection to interpret abnormal results.

A pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma test panel looks for biochemical evidence of tumors that produce catecholamines or their metabolites. Pheochromocytomas arise in the adrenal medulla,...

Plasma Catecholamines Test: Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, Dopamine, and Results

Learn what plasma epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine results mean, why collection posture matters, common causes of high values, and when metanephrine testing is preferred.

A plasma catecholamines test measures epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine in a blood sample. These fast-acting chemicals help control heart rate, blood pressure, blood flow,...

Plasma Free Metanephrines Test: Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma Screening, High Levels, and Results

Learn how plasma free metanephrine and normetanephrine testing screens for pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma, why supine rest matters, and how high or borderline results are evaluated.

A plasma free metanephrines test measures metanephrine and normetanephrine in blood to screen for pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. These rare tumors arise from chromaffin tissue...

Plasma Normetanephrine Test: High Levels, Pheochromocytoma Screening, and Results

Learn what a high plasma normetanephrine result means, why supine rest matters, common false-positive causes, when clonidine testing is used, and how PPGL evaluation proceeds.

A plasma normetanephrine test measures a stable metabolite of norepinephrine and is used mainly to screen for pheochromocytoma and sympathetic paraganglioma. These tumors can...

Primary Aldosteronism Test Panel: Aldosterone, Renin, Potassium, ARR, and Results

Learn how aldosterone, renin, potassium, and the ARR screen for primary aldosteronism, how medicines affect results, and when confirmation, CT, or adrenal vein sampling is needed.

A primary aldosteronism test panel measures aldosterone, renin, potassium, and the aldosterone-to-renin ratio, or ARR, to look for inappropriate aldosterone production. Aldosterone helps the...

Renin Blood Test: High, Low, Normal Range, Aldosterone Ratio, and Results

Learn what high or low renin means, how PRA differs from direct renin, how aldosterone and potassium complete the pattern, and why medicines and posture affect the ARR.

A renin blood test measures activity in the kidney-controlled system that regulates blood pressure, sodium, potassium, and fluid balance. Renin rises when the kidneys...

Salivary Cortisol Test: Cortisol Rhythm, Cushing Screening, Stress Hormone, and Results

Learn how salivary cortisol reflects the daily rhythm, when late-night testing screens for Cushing syndrome, why stress panels have limits, and what high, low, or flat results may mean.

A salivary cortisol test measures free cortisol that has moved from blood into saliva. It can be collected at home without a needle, making...

Urine Catecholamines Test: Adrenal Tumor Screening and Results

Learn how a 24-hour urine catecholamines test measures epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine, why collection quality matters, and when metanephrine testing is preferred.

A urine catecholamines test measures epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine excreted during a timed collection, usually 24 hours. It can help evaluate a suspected catecholamine-producing...