The name ACTH is an abbreviation for adrenocorticotrophic hormone. A trophic hormone is a hormone that stimulates growth in another gland-in this case the adrenal cortex which is the site of cortisol production.Corticosteroids for a period of time, it is dangerous to suddenly stop treatment. Why do you think it is dangerous, and what strategy could you use to minimise the risk?

Corticosteroids acting in a similar way to cortisol because they can combine with the cortisol receptor. High levels of corticosteroids in the blood are detected in the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary gland and they respond by decreasing the production of GnRH and ACTH. The lack of ACTH results in a decrease in the size of the adrenal cortex and reduced ability to produce cortisol. Therefore stopping glucocorticoid administration suddenly will cause an acute deficiency of cortisol in the blood. The way this problem is avoided is by progressively tapering down the dose of glucocorticoid. In response there is progressive increase in the amount of ACTH in the blood which stimulates growth in the adrenal cortex and restores the ability to produce cortisol.