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| 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 # |
Dexamethasone Suppression Test (DST), 1 Specimen [6921X]
Test Code20472
CPT Codes
82533
Preferred Specimen
1 mL serum
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Instructions
The ordering physician should administer 1 mg Dexamethasone between 11:00 p.m. and midnight. Draw serum for cortisol testing between 7:00-9:00 a.m. the next morning. Mark all tubes with time and date drawn.
Note: Dexamethasone is not supplied by the laboratory
Note: Dexamethasone is not supplied by the laboratory
Transport Container
Plastic screw-cap vial
Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 7 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 28 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 28 days
Methodology
Immunoassay (IA)
Setup Schedule
Set up: Daily; Report available: Next day
Reference Range
8 A.M. Specimen
Further diagnostic tests must be performed to confirm the diagnosis and determine etiology. Values >2.0 mcg/dL can be seen in endogenous depression and pseudo-Cushing's (alcoholism).
| <2.0 mcg/dL | Normal response |
| 2.0-10.0 mcg/dL | Equivocal |
| >10.0 mcg/dL | High probability of Cushing's syndrome |
Clinical Significance
Cortisol is increased in Cushing's Disease and decreased in Addison's Disease (Adrenal insufficiency).
