Ordering Recommendation

Differential diagnosis of Cushing syndrome. Screen and diagnose primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency.

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York state approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation
Collect

Serum separator tube (SST) or Plain Red, Green (lithium heparin), Lavender (K2 EDTA and K3 EDTA), or Pink (K2 EDTA).

Specimen Preparation

Allow specimen to clot completely at room temperature. Separate from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Transfer 1 mL serum to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube.(Min: 0.6 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature

Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions

Saliva (refer to Cortisol, Saliva, ARUP test code 0081117).

Remarks
Stability

After separation from cells: Ambient: 24 hours; Refrigerated: 4 days; Frozen: 12 months (avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles)

Methodology

Quantitative Electrochemiluminescent Immunoassay

Performed

Sun-Sat

Reported

Within 24 hours

Reference Interval

Interpretive Data

6 a.m. - 10 a.m. reference interval: 6.0-18.4 µg/dL
4 p.m. - 8 p.m. reference interval: 2.7-10.5 µg/dL
8 hrs post 1 mg dexamethasone given at midnight: 0.0 - 5.0 µg/dL
Normal peak serum cortisol is greater than 18.0 µg/dL at 30 or 60 minutes after 250 micrograms of cosyntropin I.V.

Compliance Category

FDA

Note

To convert to nmol/L, multiply µg/dL by 27.6.

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

82533

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
0070030 Cortisol, Serum 2143-6
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.

Aliases

  • Compound F
  • Corticosteroids
  • Cortisol
  • Cortisol, Serum
  • Cortrosyn Stimulation Test
  • Dexamethasone Suppression
  • Diurnal Corticoids
Cortisol, Serum