HealthInfo Canterbury
The dexamethasone suppression test gives your doctor valuable information about your cortisol production. Cortisol is a hormone produced by your adrenal glands.
Contact the Endocrine Test Centre on (03) 364-0934 before you go for your dexamethasone suppression test. The Endocrine Test Centre is on the ground floor of the Christchurch Outpatients building, 2 Oxford Terrace.
If you have diabetes, dexamethasone may increase your blood glucose (sugar) slightly for the next few days.
It is important that you go at 8 am, otherwise the test isn't useful.
If you can't go to the Endocrine Test Centre, arrange to have a blood sample taken at your local laboratory or general practice. It's still important that the blood sample is taken at 8 am.
Written by the Hormone Measurement and Consultation Centre, Endocrine Department, Christchurch Hospital. Adapted by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed March 2020.
Review key: HIHOT-213639