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Test Code LAB61 Cortisol: A.M., P.M. or Random

Useful For

  • An aid in the diagnosis of primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency and Cushing Syndrome. 

  • Elevated serum levels can be found in stress responses, psychiatric diseases, obesity, diabetes, alcoholism and pregnancy.

  • Low levels of cortisol are seen in patients with rare adrenal enzyme defects and after long-lasting stress.

Methodology

Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA)

Performing Laboratory

Bozeman Health Laboratory Services

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Plasma or Serum
Container/Tube: Light-green top (lithium heparin gel), red top, or gold top
Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Specimen Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Morning (8 a.m.) and afternoon (4 p.m.) specimens are desirable.

2. Indicate time of draw on specimen.

Specimen Rejection:

  1. Hemolyzed samples may be rejected.
  2. Samples should not be taken from patients receiving therapy with high
    biotin doses (i.e. > 5 mg/day) until at least 8 hours following the last biotin
    administration.

Additional Information

  • Patients do not need to be fasting.  Caffeine intake is also allowed.

Specimen Transport Temperature

Ambient <24 hours/Refrigerated >24 hours

Specimen Stability

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Plasma or Serum Ambient 24 hours
  Refrigerated 4 days
  Frozen 1 year

Reference Values

PEDIATRIC

In the healthy newborn infant, a transient increase occurs immediately after delivery and declines at 12 to 18 hours. Cortisol concentration attains adult values by 1 week of age.

 

ADULT

7 a.m.-9 a.m.: 4.3-22.4 µg/dL

3 p.m.-5 p.m.: 3.1-16.7 µg/dL

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Test Classification and CPT Coding

82533