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Cortisol
MessageTest performed at York Hospital Laboratory.
Test Code
CORT
CPT Codes
82553
Preferred Specimen
0.2 mL serum collected in a serum separator tube (SST)
Other Acceptable Specimens
0.2 mL serum collected in a no additive (red-top) tube, transferred to a plastic screw-cap vial
0.2 mL plasma collected in a lithium heparin (green-top) gel separator tube
0.2 mL plasma collected in a lithium heparin (green-top) gel separator tube
Instructions
For appropriate reference ranges, specimen should be drawn before 10:00AM or after 5:00PM.
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 4 hours
Refrigerated: 5 days
Frozen: 4 weeks
Refrigerated: 5 days
Frozen: 4 weeks
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Hemolyzed specimen
Methodology
Chemiluminescence
Setup Schedule
Monday, Thursday
Report Available
4 Days
Available STAT 1 Hour
Available STAT 1 Hour
Reference Range
| Before 10:00 AM | 4.46 - 22.7 ug/dL |
| After 5:00 PM | 1.70 - 14.1 ug/dL |
Clinical Significance
Physiological actions of cortisol include regulation of carbohydrate metabolism, electrolyte balance, water distribution, and immunosuppressant and anti-inflammatory activity. The circulating cortisol concentration is normally subject to a circadian rhythm, with the maximum level being reached at 8-9 a.m. and the minimum around midnight. Concentrations are usually elevated in pregnancy and in patients receiving high estrogen therapy.
Anomalous cortisol concentrations can result from stimuli such as trauma, fear, fever, shock, hypoglycermia, and depression. Adrenal tumors and pituitary or ectopic adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)-producing tumors are frequently associated with cortisol over-production (Cushing's syndrome), while adrenal insufficiency results in cortisol under-production (Addison's disease).
Anomalous cortisol concentrations can result from stimuli such as trauma, fear, fever, shock, hypoglycermia, and depression. Adrenal tumors and pituitary or ectopic adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)-producing tumors are frequently associated with cortisol over-production (Cushing's syndrome), while adrenal insufficiency results in cortisol under-production (Addison's disease).
