Buttercup (Calcinosis cutis) - Buttercup is now in heaven

[Dawn Anderson]

OK, it ? time. Can someone please explain to me in laymans terms the
ACHT stim test, I'm unsure of the meaning. Just what are they stimulating??? We are keeping her at 10mg am & 10mg pm and will have her tested again in 14 days.

pre-3.7
post 8.2

Thanks Dawn & Buttercup

[Renee]

Those are pretty good numbers for her first stim, and I completely agree on staying her current dose for now!

Hopefully one of the experts will stop by and explain the ACTH better than I could.

[Dawn Anderson]

Posting actual results

Endocrinology
2/23/2014 (Order Received)
2/23/2014 @ 9:22 am (Last Updated)
Cortisol - Pre
ACTH
3.7 ug/dL
Cortisol - Post
ACTH
a 8.2 ug/dL



a
ACTH Reference Range:
Canine: Feline
2 - 6 0.5 - 5 Pre-ACTH (resting) cortisol
6 - 18 5 - 15 Post-ACTH cortisol
18 - 22 15 - 19 Equivocal post-ACTH cortisol
>22 >19 Post-ACTH cortisol consistent with
hyperadrenocorticism
<2 <0.5 Post-ACTH cortisol consistent with
hypoadrenocorticism
1 - 5 n/a Desired pre- and post-ACTH cortisol on
lysodren therapy

ACTH response test is only clearly positive (>22) in 30% of
dogs with hyperadrenocorticism (HAC); equivocally positive in
another 30% of dogs with HAC, and normal in 40 % of dogs with HAC.*
If the ACTH response test is normal and HAC is still suspected,
proceed with a low-dose dexamethasone suppression test.

Dogs with iatrogenic Cushing's disease will have flatline response
test results in the low end or below the normal reference range.

Both HAC and hypoadrenocorticism are rare diseases in cats.

*Reference: Feldman and Nelson; Canine and Feline Endocrinology and
Reproduction. 3rd ed. W.B.Saunders Co., 2004.

[Harley PoMMom]

OK, it ? time. Can someone please explain to me in laymans terms the
ACHT stim test, I'm unsure of the meaning. Just what are they stimulating??? We are keeping her at 10mg am & 10mg pm and will have her tested again in 14 days.

pre-3.7
post 8.2

Thanks Dawn & Buttercup

An ACTH stimulation test measures how well the adrenal glands respond to the hormone ACTH. Here in the U.S. the stimulating agent usually used in the ACTH stimulation test is Cortrosyn (cosyntropin).

The test is performed by taking two blood draws; the 1st blood draw tells us what the dog's resting/baseline cortisol is, this 1st blood draw is also known as the "pre" number. After the "pre" blood draw is done the stimulating agent is injected and after 1 hour the 2nd blood draw is taken which is known as the "post" number.

Someone once described the ACTH like this - imagine a sponge full of water being squeezed to see how much water was in there. This is what the ACTH is doing with the adrenals - not squeezing them literally but causing them to empty as much cortisol as they can.

Dog's with Cushing's generally have an exaggerated response to the ACTH.

Buttercup's ACTH stimulation numbers look great!

Hope this helps.

Hugs, Lori

[molly muffin]

Lori explained it really well.
I call it the dump. The pre is what is circulating in the body and the post (the dump) is what the adrenal glands have in reserve.

sponge, dump, it's what is being produced and held in the glands.

Sharlene and molly muffin

[Dawn Anderson]

Oh thank you all so much, this is bringing tears of joy, it has been such a emotional & painfull journey for both of us. I prayed so hard that I was doing right by her and would be able to save her and give her a blessed life. Looks as if I made all the right decisions at the right time, THANK YOU GOD & MOTHER NATURE, you both have blessed us, me with her & her with me, hard to express the feeling I have of being able to rescue/save her my friend my compainion my teacher my life coach oh heck my soul partner. Just knowing that we wont have to say our finale good-byes for quite some time is oh so comforting. Now we can both really start healing, her, her body & me my body & soul.

SO come on my girl, summer is not far & the beach is calling out to US.

Dawn & Buttercup

[Harley PoMMom]

Dawn, You are doing a fantastic job with Buttercup, and I am so happy that she is responding so well! YAA!!! And here's to warmer weather!!!

[Arizona Boston]

What good news! I'm so happy she is feeling better and her numbers tell the whole story.
Shelly

[Doccy]

Dawn I am so happy to hear Buttercup is doing well!! I've counted my blessings too, but you said it so eloquently! :-) Here's to Buttercup and her Mommy!!

[goldengirl88]

Dawn:
I am so glad you and Butter's made on the way up. It has been a long hard battle
for you both. I hope it continues to go well for you both. Blessings
Patti