Endocrine and Dynamic Testing

Confirm cortisol excess, then localise with ACTH and high dose suppression

A memory aid for investigating suspected Cushing's syndrome.

HbA1c, fasting glucose, random glucose and the tolerance test

A memory aid for the diagnostic thresholds for diabetes.

Measure cortisol before and after synthetic ACTH

A memory aid for the test of adrenal reserve.

Timing, binding proteins, assay interference and acute illness all distort results

A memory aid for the common traps in endocrine biochemistry.

TSH is the most sensitive marker, moving before free T4 changes

A memory aid for interpreting thyroid function tests.

Deprive water, measure urine osmolality, then give desmopressin

A memory aid for interpreting the water deprivation test.