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Dexamethasone Suppression Test (DST)
MessagePerforming Lab: Regions
Test Code
3353
Alias/See Also
Sunquest: DST; Dexamethasone Suppression Test
CPT Codes
82533
Preferred Specimen
0.2 mL Lithium Heparin Plasma (light green-top) tube
Minimum Volume
0.1 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Serum separator (gold-top), Red, Red/Gray
Instructions
Collection:
Per Endocrinology Dept and Lab Medical Directors, DST should be drawn in early AM only, not later in day.
Per Endocrinology Dept and Lab Medical Directors, DST should be drawn in early AM only, not later in day.
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated
Specimen Stability
Room Temperature: Not Recommended
Refrigerated: 14 days
Frozen: 1 month
Refrigerated: 14 days
Frozen: 1 month
Methodology
Competitive Immunoassay
Setup Schedule
Daily
Report Available
Same day.
Limitations
Circulating cortisol results from patients receiving Prednisolone or Prednisone therapy may be falsely elevated. Exercise caution with cortisol determinations for patients undergoing therapy with these and structurally related synthetic corticosteroids.
Reference Range
0 - 2 µg/dL
Clinical Significance
In pathological states of the HPA axis, elevated or depressed values of cortisol may be found. 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).
Dexamethasone suppresses the ACTH and cortisol production in normal patients but not in those with Cushing's syndrome.
Dexamethasone suppresses the ACTH and cortisol production in normal patients but not in those with Cushing's syndrome.
