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Test Code 232 Cortisol Total, Serum

Important Note

Due to cross reactivity, it is advisable that the patient abstains from the following drugs at least 24 hours prior to specimen collection: Cortisol, Prednisolone and Prednisone.

 

Additional Codes

ALAB: CORTR

PowerChart: Cortisol Total

MA Cerner: Cortisol Level

Test Method

Competitive Binding Immunoenzymatic Assay; Beckman DxC700AU

Specimen Requirement

0.5 mL of serum is the preferred specimen.

Additional Specimen Collection Information

Collect blood in a red-top tube. (Lithium heparin, green-top tube or EDTA purple-top are also acceptable.) Serum and plasma gel tubes are acceptable. Morning (8 a.m.) and afternoon (4 p.m.) specimens are preferred.

Serum or plasma should be separated from contact with the cells within 2 hours of collection. Specimens not centrifuged within 4 hours of collection may be rejected. Refrigerate the specimen if unable to assay within 8 hours of collection.

Performance

Testing is performed Monday through Sunday.

Routine: Typically completed within 4 hours after the specimen arrives at the testing site.

STAT: Typically completed within 1 hour after the specimen arrives at the testing site.

Reference Values

Results are subject to interpretation by the clinician.
AM Cortisol: 8.7 - 22.4 mcg/dL
PM Cortisol: < 10.0 mcg/dL
Random Cortisol: not established

CPT Code Information

82533 Chemistry: Cortisol, total

Useful For

Discrimination between primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency

Differential diagnosis of Cushing syndrome

LOINC Code Information

2143-6 Cortisol [Mass/Volume] In Serum Or Plasma