ACTH

Test Code

LAB511

Alias/See Also

Cortisol (ACTH) Stimulation Test,

CPT Codes
82533

Preferred Specimen

EDTA

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

PPT potassium ETDA (white top)

Instructions

Centrifuge immediately after collection to separate plasma from cells. Transfer plasma to plastic specimen transport container & mark the speciment type as plasma. Freeze immediately.

Transport Container

plastic specimen transport container

Transport Temperature

Frozen

Specimen Stability

Room temp: 16 hours; Refrigerated: 24 hours; Frozen: 28 days

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

Received thawed

Methodology
Immunoassay

Setup Schedule

Mon-Sat

Report Available

Report available: Same day

Limitations

With patients receiving more than 5mg/day of biotin, a sample should be taken no sooner than eight hours after previous dose. Patients treated with monoclonal mouse antibodies may have inaccurate results. High titer of antibodies such as streptavidin and ruthenium may cause interference. Due to its correlation with cortisol levels, ACTH concentration is affected by stress. Any single measure may be within the reference range for patients with increased production (Cushing's disease) or minimal production of ACTH

Reference Range

<3 years: Not established; 3-17 years: 9-57pg/mL; ≥18years: 6-50pg/mL

Clinical Significance

Determination of ACTH is useful in differentiating between primary and secondary adrenocortical hypo- and hyperfunctional disorders: Addison's Disease, Cushing's Syndrome, Adrenal Carcinoma, Ectopic ACTH Syndrome, Nodular Hyperplasia.

Performing Laboratory
Piedmont Athens Regional

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.