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Quick take: The self-pay ACTH blood test cost commonly falls around $49 to $134 through national online lab-ordering services, before any optional add-ons. In the public prices reviewed for this guide, the lowest visible total was HealthLabs at $49, followed closely by Ulta Lab Tests at $58.95 and Walk-In Lab at $61 after its required $6 physician fee. Labcorp OnDemand listed the ACTH test at $119, and Personalabs listed $134 with the lab visit and physician order included. Prices can change, and availability depends on your state, the collection network, and the exact lab option selected.
An ACTH test measures adrenocorticotropic hormone in blood. ACTH is made by the pituitary gland and tells the adrenal glands to make cortisol, so clinicians usually interpret ACTH together with cortisol rather than as a stand-alone answer. MedlinePlus explains that ACTH and cortisol are part of a feedback system involving the pituitary, hypothalamus, and adrenal glands, and that abnormal ACTH often requires other tests to confirm the cause. ([medlineplus.gov](https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/adrenocorticotropic-hormone-acth/))
ACTH blood test cost comparison
The table below compares public consumer pricing for a single ACTH blood test ordered online for an adult self-pay patient. It does not rank providers by commission, advertising relationship, or promotional claims. It focuses on the price a consumer is likely to pay for the ACTH order itself, including required provider fees when publicly visible.
| Provider | Public ACTH price | Mandatory fees found | Estimated self-pay total | Collection / workflow | Availability and review notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HealthLabs | $49 | No separate mandatory fee was visible on the ACTH product page reviewed. | $49 | Order online or by phone, then visit a local lab. HealthLabs describes access to more than 4,500 labs and most results in 1–3 business days. | HealthLabs lists the ACTH test at $49 and describes online ordering with local collection. Trustpilot shows a large but mixed review profile, with a 3.8 TrustScore across 4,368 reviews at the time reviewed. (healthlabs.com) |
| Ulta Lab Tests | $58.95 | No separate mandatory fee was visible in the indexed ACTH product result reviewed. | $58.95 | Order online and use a Quest-based collection network; ACTH Plasma #211 is listed with an average process time of 3–4 business days. | Ulta’s ACTH page was indexed with a $58.95 sale price. Ulta materials state direct-access testing is not available in New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island; some business-facing pages also reference Hawaii restrictions. Trustpilot shows 4.5/5 from 144 reviews, with generally positive comments but some complaints about delays or availability. (ultalabtests.com) |
| Walk-In Lab | $55 | $6 physician fee per order. | $61 | Order online, get a requisition, visit a collection site, and receive results online. The ACTH page lists 2–5 business days and no fasting requirement. | Walk-In Lab’s ACTH page lists $55 plus a $6 per-order physician fee. Its FAQ states online Labcorp testing is prohibited in NY, NJ, RI, MD, and MA, and state availability may vary by lab option. Its review page reports a 4.8/5 average rating drawn from customer review sources, while shoppers should still check recent third-party reviews before purchasing. (walkinlab.com) |
| Request A Test | $89 visible for Lab Option 2 | No separate mandatory fee was visible on the ACTH product page reviewed. | $89 | Order online, choose a lab option, use the lab finder, and receive results online. Turnaround differed by lab option: 1 business day for one option and 4–7 business days for another. | Request A Test lists ACTH Plasma test requirements, including early-morning collection and biotin guidance. Because its page shows multiple lab options, verify the exact price, nearby location, and restrictions before checkout. (requestatest.com) |
| Labcorp OnDemand | $119 | No separate mandatory fee was visible on the ACTH product page reviewed. | $119 | Purchase through Labcorp OnDemand, then collect in person at a Labcorp location. The page lists age 18–100, purchaser-only testing, HSA/FSA acceptance, and results 1–2 days from when the sample arrives at the lab. | Labcorp OnDemand is convenient if you prefer buying directly from the collection/lab brand. Public third-party review volume for the OnDemand-specific Trustpilot profile was small and mixed, so weigh local Labcorp location experience as well as the website experience. (ondemand.labcorp.com) |
| Personalabs | $134 | Personalabs states one price covers the test, doctor’s order, lab visit, and medical director review. | $134 | Order online, generate a lab order after physician review, visit a Labcorp location, and receive results in the Personalabs account. | The ACTH product page lists $134. Personalabs payment FAQs state there is no lab fee at the draw site, and its location/FAQ pages state testing cannot be conducted in New York, New Jersey, or Rhode Island. Its homepage reports 4.6/5 from 2,336 verified patient reviews. (personalabs.com) |
How we compare total self-pay cost
For a commercial lab article, the useful number is not just the headline price. The practical number is the effective cost to the patient: the advertised ACTH test price plus any required physician, draw, processing, or lab-visit fee that is clearly mandatory for completing that order. Optional cortisol tests, panels, expedited shipping, subscriptions, coupons, and membership discounts are not included unless they are required to buy the ACTH test.
This matters because some lab-ordering companies sell the requisition and lab processing as one bundled price, while others show a separate clinician or physician-order fee. For example, Walk-In Lab’s ACTH page displayed a $55 test price and a required $6 physician fee, so the effective public total is $61. Personalabs, by contrast, states that one posted price covers the test, doctor’s order, lab visit, and medical director review, so the effective public total is the posted $134 unless checkout shows otherwise. (walkinlab.com)
State availability is another part of real cost. If your state is restricted, the lowest online price may not be usable without a clinician order from your own healthcare provider or travel to another state where the requisition is accepted. Several direct-access lab services specifically call out New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island as restricted states, and some services have additional restrictions depending on whether the order is fulfilled through Labcorp or Quest. Always confirm your home address, draw-site state, and lab option before paying.
What the ACTH test includes — and what it does not
A standard ACTH blood test is a single blood draw that measures ACTH in plasma. It is not the same as an ACTH stimulation test. An ACTH stimulation test is a supervised dynamic test that measures cortisol before and after an injection of synthetic ACTH to see whether the adrenal glands respond appropriately. MedlinePlus notes that ACTH stimulation testing is commonly used when clinicians need to determine whether low cortisol is due to an adrenal problem versus a pituitary or hypothalamic problem. (medlineplus.gov)
Most consumer ACTH products include the lab order, venipuncture at a participating draw site, laboratory measurement, and an electronic result report. They generally do not include a full endocrine consultation, imaging, medication changes, confirmatory testing, or emergency care. If your result is markedly abnormal, or if you have symptoms such as fainting, severe weakness, very low blood pressure, vomiting, confusion, or dehydration, seek medical care promptly rather than waiting on an online result portal.
How to choose an ACTH test provider
Choose based on collection quality, not price alone. ACTH is more handling-sensitive than many routine blood tests. Mayo Clinic Laboratories lists ACTH as an EDTA plasma specimen and describes chilled collection, transport on ice, refrigerated centrifugation, rapid plasma separation, and freezing as part of its specimen instructions. That does not mean every consumer draw site follows Mayo’s exact workflow, but it does show why an early-morning appointment at a well-run national patient service center is preferable to a rushed or unfamiliar collection process. (mayocliniclabs.com)
Check nearby appointments before you buy. ACTH is usually collected early in the morning because levels vary throughout the day. A provider with a slightly higher price but a nearby 7–10 a.m. appointment may be more practical than a lower-priced provider whose closest collection site is far away or only available in the afternoon.
Compare the exact lab option. Some marketplaces offer both Quest and Labcorp fulfillment, and the same test may have different turnaround times, state restrictions, or specimen requirements by lab. Request A Test, for example, showed separate lab options with different turnaround estimates. That is not necessarily a problem; it simply means shoppers should select the option that fits their location and timing needs. (requestatest.com)
Look at review patterns, not just star ratings. Public reviews are imperfect: people with problems are often more likely to post, provider-hosted pages may emphasize positive experiences, and small profiles can swing dramatically. Still, patterns can help. Repeated comments about lost orders, portal access, customer support delays, or draw-site confusion matter more than a single bad review. Likewise, repeated praise for easy ordering and fast results can be useful when supported by a large review sample.
Will insurance cover an ACTH blood test?
If a clinician orders ACTH because it is medically necessary, insurance may cover it depending on your plan, deductible, network, diagnosis coding, and prior authorization rules. However, online direct-access lab services generally operate as self-pay services and usually do not bill insurance. You may be able to use HSA or FSA funds when the provider accepts them; Labcorp OnDemand specifically lists HSA/FSA acceptance for its ACTH test, and Personalabs states its tests are HSA/FSA eligible on its homepage. (ondemand.labcorp.com)
If you already have symptoms or a known adrenal or pituitary condition, ask your clinician whether they can order ACTH and cortisol through your insurance network. A clinician-ordered route may be less expensive if you have met your deductible, but more expensive if your plan leaves you paying a high contracted rate. If you use a self-pay online order, keep the receipt, test name, CPT code if provided, and date of service, but do not assume your insurer will reimburse it.
Preparation, timing, and collection tips
ACTH is usually drawn in the morning. MedlinePlus says blood samples for ACTH testing are often taken early in the morning when ACTH levels are highest, and Labcorp OnDemand’s ACTH page instructs collection between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. Request A Test similarly states collection should be done between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. for one lab option. (medlineplus.gov)
- Schedule early. Prefer the earliest available appointment, especially if your clinician wants ACTH interpreted with morning cortisol.
- Ask about fasting. Fasting is not always required for ACTH alone; Walk-In Lab lists fasting as not required. However, your clinician or panel may include other tests that do require fasting. (walkinlab.com)
- Discuss medications first. Glucocorticoids such as prednisone, hydrocortisone, or dexamethasone can affect ACTH results. MedlinePlus warns not to stop these medicines unless instructed by your provider. (medlineplus.gov)
- Pause biotin only if appropriate. Some labs warn that biotin can interfere with immunoassays. Mayo’s ACTH instructions say patients should avoid multivitamins or supplements containing biotin for 12 hours before collection, while Request A Test gives longer biotin guidance for one lab option. Follow the specific lab instructions and ask your clinician if you take high-dose biotin. (mayocliniclabs.com)
- Reduce avoidable stressors. ACTH is part of the stress-response system. You cannot eliminate normal life stress, but arriving early, being hydrated unless fasting, and avoiding vigorous exercise right before the draw can reduce avoidable variability.
How ACTH results are interpreted
ACTH interpretation depends heavily on the cortisol result, collection time, medications, and the lab’s reference interval. MedlinePlus gives a general early-morning normal range of 9 to 52 pg/mL but emphasizes that ranges vary by lab and that patients should discuss their specific result with a provider. (medlineplus.gov)
| Pattern | Possible meaning | Typical next step |
|---|---|---|
| High ACTH + low cortisol | Can suggest primary adrenal insufficiency, where the adrenal glands are not producing enough cortisol and the pituitary responds by making more ACTH. | Prompt medical review; clinician may order electrolytes, repeat morning cortisol, ACTH stimulation testing, adrenal antibodies, or urgent evaluation if symptoms are severe. |
| Low or normal ACTH + low cortisol | Can suggest secondary or tertiary adrenal insufficiency related to pituitary or hypothalamic signaling, or suppression from steroid medication. | Medication review, repeat timed testing, pituitary evaluation, and possible stimulation testing. |
| High ACTH + high cortisol | Can be seen with ACTH-dependent cortisol excess, such as Cushing disease or ectopic ACTH production, but a single result is not diagnostic. | Endocrinology evaluation with confirmatory cortisol testing, dexamethasone suppression testing, late-night salivary cortisol, 24-hour urinary free cortisol, and imaging when indicated. |
| Low ACTH + high cortisol | Can occur when cortisol excess suppresses pituitary ACTH, such as with some adrenal tumors or glucocorticoid exposure. | Clinician review of medications, cortisol confirmation, adrenal evaluation, and imaging if appropriate. |
Do not diagnose Addison disease, Cushing syndrome, adrenal tumors, or pituitary disease from a consumer ACTH result alone. MedlinePlus specifically notes that ACTH and cortisol tests are used together to help identify what type of condition may be causing abnormal cortisol levels, and that other tests are often needed for a final diagnosis. (medlineplus.gov)
When a lower-cost ACTH test may not be the best choice
A low self-pay price can be useful for people with high deductibles, no insurance, or a clinician who wants an outside cash-pay result. But consider a clinician-directed route if you have known adrenal insufficiency, pituitary disease, chronic steroid use, pregnancy, complex medication changes, or symptoms that could represent adrenal crisis. In those situations, the cost of the blood test is only one part of safe care; interpretation and timely follow-up matter more.
Also be careful if you are trying to buy ACTH because of nonspecific fatigue, stress, weight change, or online “adrenal fatigue” content. ACTH can be medically useful, but fatigue has many possible causes, and a normal or borderline ACTH result does not rule out every endocrine or non-endocrine condition. A primary care clinician or endocrinologist can help decide whether morning cortisol, ACTH, electrolytes, thyroid tests, CBC, metabolic panel, iron studies, or other tests are more appropriate.
Practical next steps before you order
- Decide whether you need ACTH alone or ACTH plus morning cortisol. ACTH is often most useful when interpreted with cortisol.
- Check your state and draw-site availability. Do this before entering payment information, especially if you live in NY, NJ, RI, MD, MA, or HI.
- Verify the total at checkout. Look for physician-order fees, draw fees, service fees, or local collection charges.
- Choose a morning appointment. If no morning slot is available, ask the provider whether you should wait rather than collect in the afternoon.
- Save your result PDF. Bring it to your clinician, especially if cortisol was also measured or if results are outside the reference range.
FAQs about ACTH blood test cost
How much does an ACTH blood test cost without insurance?
Based on public national self-pay prices reviewed here, a single ACTH blood test generally costs about $49 to $134 through online lab-ordering services. The lowest visible public total was $49, while direct-from-lab or bundled physician-review options were higher.
Why is one ACTH test $49 and another $119?
Price differences usually reflect negotiated lab rates, whether the provider bundles physician authorization and review, the collection network used, business overhead, and whether the company is selling directly or through a marketplace. A higher price does not automatically mean a better test, but collection timing, specimen handling, and accessible customer support can justify paying more in some situations.
Is an ACTH test the same as a cortisol test?
No. ACTH is a pituitary hormone that signals the adrenal glands; cortisol is the adrenal hormone that ACTH helps regulate. They are often ordered together because the pattern of both results is more informative than either result alone.
Is an ACTH blood test the same as an ACTH stimulation test?
No. A standard ACTH blood test is a single blood draw measuring ACTH. An ACTH stimulation test involves cortisol measurements before and after an ACTH-like injection and is usually performed under clinician supervision.
Do I need to fast for an ACTH blood test?
Fasting is not always required for ACTH alone, but instructions vary by lab and by other tests ordered at the same time. Follow the instructions on your requisition and ask the ordering clinician or lab provider if you are unsure.
What time should ACTH be drawn?
Most ACTH blood tests should be collected in the early morning, commonly between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m., because ACTH changes throughout the day and is typically highest in the morning.
Can biotin affect ACTH results?
Biotin may interfere with some immunoassay-based lab tests. ACTH providers give different biotin instructions, ranging from avoiding biotin-containing supplements for 12 hours to longer holds for higher-dose use. Do not stop medically necessary supplements or medications without appropriate guidance.
What should I do if my ACTH result is abnormal?
Share the result with a healthcare provider, ideally with a same-morning cortisol result. Seek urgent care if you have severe weakness, fainting, confusion, persistent vomiting, dehydration, or very low blood pressure, because adrenal problems can sometimes be medically urgent.
Sources
- MedlinePlus: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: ACTH blood test
- Mayo Clinic Laboratories: ACTH test definition and specimen requirements
- Labcorp OnDemand: ACTH Test
- Walk-In Lab: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Blood Test
- Request A Test: ACTH Plasma Test
- HealthLabs: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Test
- Personalabs: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Blood Test
Educational disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes and cost comparison only. It does not diagnose, treat, or replace care from a licensed healthcare professional. Lab prices, fees, availability, and restrictions can change; confirm the final total and instructions with the provider before purchase.
