Endocrine Abstracts

Background: We previously reported that a high number of synacthen tests are carried inaccurately within our trust with a significant delay in sample collection after tetracosactide injection. We also reported a high number of patients having Synacthen tests unnecessarily. In light of this we introduced a Synacthen proforma and re-audited our results.Method: A retrospective study was carried out on 36 patients undergoing Synacthen tests bet...

Background: We previously reported that a high number of synacthen tests are carried inaccurately within our trust with a significant delay in sample collection after tetracosactide injection. We also reported a high number of patients having Synacthen tests unnecessarily. In light of this we introduced a Synacthen proforma and re-audited our results.Method: A retrospective study was carried out on 36 patients undergoing Synacthen tests bet...

Background: Short Synacthen tests (SSTs) are used to assess adrenal function by injecting tetracosactide and measuring blood cortisol after 30 and 60 min. Many SSTs at Royal Bournemouth Hospital (RBH) are undertaken externally to the Bournemouth Diabetes and Endocrine Centre (BDEC). There is an increasing cost-implication for undertaking SSTs exacerbated by recent problems with Synacthen supply. A 0900 h cortisol or random cortisol on acutely unwell patients can be sufficient ...

Background: Short Synacthen tests (SSTs) are used to assess adrenal function by injecting tetracosactide and measuring blood cortisol after 30 and 60 min. Accuracy of timing helps enable successful interpretation of results. A SST is an invasive test although it is normally well tolerated. There is an increasing cost-implication for undertaking SSTs exacerbated by recent problems with Synacthen supply.Method: We undertook a retrospective audit of 333 pat...