[False positive dexamethasone suppression test in a patient being treated with carbamazepine].

Abstract

We present a case story of a patient suspected having Cushing's syndrome (CS), with spuriously elevated P-cortisol level diagnosed by overnight and two days dexamethasone suppression test (DST). The patient was being treated with carbamazepine, and after two weeks withdrawal from this drug, both two-day DST and urinary free cortisol showed normal results. There are many pitfalls in the process of diagnosing CS. Several conditions mimic the disease and others cause hypercortisolism. Liver and kidney failure as well as several drugs can influence the test results. It is important to bare this in mind during the diagnostic work-up of suspected CS.

• Authors: Ane Bull Iversen, Christian Trolle, Per Løgstrup Poulsen
• Journal: Ugeskrift for laeger (Ugeskr Laeger) Vol. 176 Issue 3A Pg. V04130254 (Jan 13 2014) ISSN: 1603-6824 [Electronic] Denmark
• Vernacular Title: Falsk positiv dexamethasonsuppressionstest hos en patient i behandling med carbamazepine.
• PMID: 25347181 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
• Glucocorticoids
• Carbamazepine
• Dexamethasone

Topics

• Analgesics, Non-Narcotic (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Carbamazepine (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Cushing Syndrome (diagnosis)
• Dexamethasone (pharmacology)
• Drug Interactions
• False Positive Reactions
• Female
• Glucocorticoids (pharmacology)
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Trigeminal Neuralgia (drug therapy)