A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

ACTH, Plasma

Test Code
ACTHQ


Alias/See Also

LAB511



CPT Codes
<p>82024</p>

Preferred Specimen

Patient Preparation: Draw specimen between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. If drawn during any other time, the reference ranges do not apply.

Specimen Type: Plasma EDTA

Collection Container/Type

Preferred: Lavender top (EDTA)

Acceptable: White top (PPT potassium EDTA)

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 1.5 mL

Collection Instructions: 

  1. Draw specimens between 7AM and 10AM. If drawn during any other time, the reference ranges do not apply.
  2. Centrifuge immediately after collection to separate plasma from cells.
  3. Transfer plasma to a plastic specimen transport container and mark the specimen type as plasma on the container.
  4. Freeze immediately.

Additional Information: ACTH measurement is not recommended for patients who have been administered cosyntropin (ACTH (1-24)) because the results may be falsely elevated or depressed. Reference: Siemens Healthcare Customer Notification IMC20-04.A.US March 25, 2020.



Patient Preparation
Draw specimen between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. If drawn during any other time, the reference ranges do not apply.

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL



Other Acceptable Specimens
PPT potassium EDTA (white-top) tube


Instructions
Draw specimens between 7AM and 10AM. If drawn during any other time, the reference ranges do not apply. Centrifuge immediately after collection to separate plasma from cells. Transfer plasma to a plastic specimen transport container and mark the specimen type as plasma on the container. Freeze immediately.
ACTH measurement is not recommended for patients who have been administered cosyntropin (ACTH (1-24)) because the results may be falsely elevated or depressed. Reference: Siemens Healthcare Customer Notification IMC20-04.A.US March 25, 2020.


Transport Temperature
Frozen


Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 16 hours

Refrigerated: 24 hours

Frozen: 28 days



Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Received thawed



Methodology

Immunoassay (IA)



Setup Schedule
Set up: Mon-Sat; Report available: Same day


Report Available

Same day



Limitations

With patients receiving more than 5mg/day of biotin, a sample should be taken no sooner than eight hours after previous dose. Patients treated with monoclonal mouse antibodies may have inaccurate results. High titer of antibodies such as streptavidin and ruthenium may cause interference. Due to its correlation with cortisol levels, ACTH concentration is affected by stress. Any single measure may be within the reference range for patients with increased production (Cushings disease) or minimal production of ACTH.



Reference Range
<3 Years Not established
3-17 Years 9-57 pg/mL
≥18 Years 6-50 pg/mL


Clinical Significance
Determination of ACTH is useful in differentiating between primary and secondary adrenocortical hypo- and hyperfunctional disorders: Addison's Disease, Cushing's Syndrome, Adrenal Carcinoma, Ectopic ACTH Syndrome, Nodular Hyperplasia.


Performing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
14225 Newbrook Drive
Chantilly, VA 20153




Last Updated: February 16, 2012


The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.