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Adrenocorticotropic Hormone

Meaning

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone, or ACTH, is a crucial peptide hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland that governs the adrenal glands’ output of glucocorticoids, particularly cortisol. It acts as a primary signaling molecule within the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the body’s central stress response system. Monitoring ACTH levels provides a direct clinical window into the body’s endocrine response to stress and overall adrenal function.