Overnight Dexamethasone Suppression Test

ACTH Suppression Test, Cortisol Suppression Test, Dexamethasone Suppression Test (DST), DST (Dexamethasone Suppression Test)

How To Prepare

You will not be able to eat or drink anything for 10 to 12 hours before the morning blood test.

Many medicines can change the results of this test. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the nonprescription and prescription medicines you take. You may be asked to stop taking some medicines (such as birth control pills, aspirin, morphine, methadone, lithium, monoamine oxidase inhibitors [MAOIs], and diuretics) for 24 to 48 hours before your blood is drawn.

Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results will mean. To help you understand the importance of this test, fill out the medical test information form (What is a PDF document?).

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Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated August 3, 2006
Medical Review:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine David C.W. Lau, MD, PhD, FRCPC - Endocrinology & Metabolism
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