Cortisol, Free, LC/MS, Serum

Test Code

36423

Alias/See Also

LAB520

CPT Codes
82530

Preferred Specimen

2 mL serum collected in a red-top tube (no gel)

Minimum Volume

0.7 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Plasma collected in: EDTA (lavender-top) tube or PPT potassium (white-top) tube

Transport Container

Transport tube

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (cold packs)

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 2 years

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

Gross hemolysis • Received room temperature • Serum separator tube (SST)

Methodology
Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

FDA Status
This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by FDA. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.

Setup Schedule

Sun-thurs

Report Available

3-7 days

Reference Range

Adult
8:00 - 10:00 A.M.	0.07-0.93 mcg/dL
4:00 - 6:00 P.M.	0.04-0.45 mcg/dL
10:00- 11:00 P.M.	0.04-0.35 mcg/dL

Clinical Significance

Free cortisol is useful in the detection of patients with Cushing's syndrome for whom free cortisol concentrations are elevated.

Performing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute-San Juan Capistrano, CA

33608 Ortega Highway

San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-2042

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.