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Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Metyrapone Test

Results and Values

What do the test results mean?

When results of the metyrapone test are normal:

11-deoxycortisol, which is an enzyme that is made before cortisol, rises to more than 7 micrograms per deciliter of blood (mcg/dl)

cortisol is increased to less than 10 mcg/dl

the ACTH level rises higher than the level obtained from a baseline ACTH level.

Abnormal results may vary as follows:

No rise in the ACTH level may mean that the pituitary gland is not working normally. This is called hypopituitarism.

A great rise in 11-deoxycortisol is a sign of excessive tissue growth in the adrenal gland. Called adrenal hyperplasia, this condition causes the gland to enlarge.

No increase in 11-deoxycortisol may indicate:

Cushing's syndrome, which is a disorder caused by an overactive adrenal gland

adrenal adenoma, a tumor in the adrenal gland

cancer, in particular adrenal or lung cancer

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