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Cortisol, Plasma or Serum
MessageNote: This test will be run if high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is not specified
Test Code
387
CPT Codes
82533
Preferred Specimen
Submit only 1 of the following specimens:
Plasma
Container/Tube: Green-top (heparin) tube(s)
Specimen Volume: 3 mL (minimum volume: 0.5 mL) of plasma
Collection Instructions: Drawn blood at 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to evaluate baseline diurnal variation.
For diagnosis of depression disorders, give a 1 mg dose of oral dexamethasone at 11 p.m. Draw specimen the following day at 8 a.m.
Separate plasma from cells within 1 hour of draw.
Note: 1. Indicate plasma, as a.m. or p.m., and if dexamethasone depression test is desired. 2. Label specimen appropriately (plasma and as a.m. or p.m.).
Serum
Container/Tube: Serum gel tube(s)
Specimen Volume: 3 mL (minimum volume: 0.5 mL) of serum
Collection Instructions: Drawn blood at 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to evaluate baseline diurnal variation.
For diagnosis of depression disorders, give a 1 mg dose of oral dexamethasone at 11 p.m. Draw specimen the following day at 8 a.m.
Separate serum from cells within 1 hour of draw.
Note: 1. Indicate serum, as a.m. or p.m., and if dexamethasone depression test is desired. 2. Label specimen appropriately (serum and as a.m. or p.m.).
Plasma
Container/Tube: Green-top (heparin) tube(s)
Specimen Volume: 3 mL (minimum volume: 0.5 mL) of plasma
Collection Instructions: Drawn blood at 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to evaluate baseline diurnal variation.
For diagnosis of depression disorders, give a 1 mg dose of oral dexamethasone at 11 p.m. Draw specimen the following day at 8 a.m.
Separate plasma from cells within 1 hour of draw.
Note: 1. Indicate plasma, as a.m. or p.m., and if dexamethasone depression test is desired. 2. Label specimen appropriately (plasma and as a.m. or p.m.).
Serum
Container/Tube: Serum gel tube(s)
Specimen Volume: 3 mL (minimum volume: 0.5 mL) of serum
Collection Instructions: Drawn blood at 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to evaluate baseline diurnal variation.
For diagnosis of depression disorders, give a 1 mg dose of oral dexamethasone at 11 p.m. Draw specimen the following day at 8 a.m.
Separate serum from cells within 1 hour of draw.
Note: 1. Indicate serum, as a.m. or p.m., and if dexamethasone depression test is desired. 2. Label specimen appropriately (serum and as a.m. or p.m.).
Instructions
Due to the diurnal variation of cortisol, specimen should be collected at 8 am or 4 pm, depending on physician instructions.
Transport Temperature
Refrigerate
Methodology
Immunochemiluminescent Assay
Setup Schedule
Monday through Sunday
Reference Range
5.0-25.0 µg/dL at 8 a.m.
The p.m. specimen should be 1/2 to 1/3 of the a.m. specimen
The p.m. specimen should be 1/2 to 1/3 of the a.m. specimen
Clinical Significance
Useful for discrimination of primary (increased ACTH, decreased cortisol) versus secondary (decreased ACTH, decreased cortisol) adrenal insufficiency; for differential diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome; for evaluation of patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (recommended routine procedure); and for diagnosis of melancholia (endogenous depression).
Performed By
CoxHealth
