Dexamethasone suppression tests

Right Decisions
SPEG (Scottish Paediatric Endocrine Group)
Back
Dynamic function tests for use in paediatric endocrinology
Dexamethasone suppression tests

Please update your RDS mobile app to version 4.7.1

We are pleased to advise that deep linking capability, enabling users to directly download individual mobile toolkits, has now been released on the RDS mobile app. When you install the update, you will see that each toolkit has a small QR code icon the header area beside the search icon – see screenshot below. Clicking on this icon will open up a window with a full-size QR code and the alternative of a short URL for sharing with users. Instructions are provided.

You may need to actively install the update to install RDS app version 4.7.1 to see this improvement. Installing this update is also strongly recommended to get the full benefits of the new contingency arrangements – specifically, that if the RDS website should fail, you will still be able to download new mobile app toolkits.

To check your current RDS version, click on the three dots bottom right of the RDS app screen. This takes you to a “More” page where you will see the version number. To install latest updates:

On iPhones – go to the Apple store, click on your profile icon top right, scroll down to see the apps waiting to be updated and update the RDS app.

On Android phones – these can vary, but try going to the Google Play store, click on your profile icon top right, click on “Manage apps and device”, select and update the RDS app.

Please get in touch with ann.wales3@nhs.scot with any questions.

Introduction

There are several forms of the dexamethasone suppression test:

Overnight dexamethasone suppression test.
Low dose dexamethasone suppression test.
High dose dexamethasone suppression test.

The overnight dexamethasone suppression test is used as an initial screening test.

If there is a failure of suppression, a prolonged dexamethasone test may be required. This should be discussed with your local tertiary endocrinologist.

In this case a prolonged (low or high dose) Dexamethasone suppression test may help confirm Cushing’s syndrome and identify the cause.