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Dexamethasone Overnight Test
Why do this test?
This test is used to test whether you have the rare condition of Cushing’s syndrome.
In Cushing’s syndrome the adrenal glands which lie above and in front of your kidneys produce too much of the hormone cortisol.
What is involved?
You will be asked to take I mg (2 tablets each of 0.5mg) of dexamethasone late at night between 11.30pm and 12 midnight.The tablets should be swallowed with water
The next morning you will be asked to either visit the hospital or your GP health centre to have a blood test done again precisely between 8.30am and 9.15am. Your blood sample will be measured for the hormone cortisol. In normal people the cortisol will be low whereas if you have Cushing’s syndrome the level will be high.
Who will get the results?
Your doctor will get the results.
Ó NHS Tayside; 2006; version 1.0
Disclaimer; no liability whatsoever is accepted for information given and all such information, especially with regard to drug usage (UK version provided), must be checked with a person’s health provider.