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Dexamethasone Suppression 2
MessageThe Dexamethasone Suppression test for Depression is used as an aid in the diagnosis of endogenous depression (melancholia). Dexamethasone will depress cortisol production for about 24 hours in a normal individual. In approximately 70% of patients with endogenous depression, the cortisol levels drawn at 1600 and 2300 the day after taking dexamethasone will be elevated (>5.0 ug/dl).
Test Code
DEXS2
Alias/See Also
Cortisol
D2DOS: Dose Given
D2tim: Dose Time
COR4: Cortisol 4 PM
COR11: Cortisol, 11 PM
D2CON: Consultation if indicated
D2DOS: Dose Given
D2tim: Dose Time
COR4: Cortisol 4 PM
COR11: Cortisol, 11 PM
D2CON: Consultation if indicated
Includes
4 pm and 11 pm Cortisol dose
Preferred Specimen
SST (GOLD)
Patient Preparation
- Patient is given an oral dose of 1mg. Dexamethasone at 2300 (11:00 pm)
- Collect blood specimens for cortisol level on the next day at 1600 (4:00pm) and at 2300 (11:00pm).
Other Acceptable Specimens
Heparin (Green PST)
EDTA Plasma
EDTA Plasma
Specimen Stability
- Store samples tightly stoppered at room temperature (15 to 30°C) for no longer than 8 hours.
- If the assay will not be completed within 8 hours, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 8°C.
- If the assay will not be completed within 48 hours, or for shipment of samples, freeze at -20°C or colder.
Setup Schedule
24x7
Reference Range
COR4: 3.09 to 16.66 ug/dL
COR11: 3.09 to 16.66 ug/dL
COR11: 3.09 to 16.66 ug/dL
Clinical Significance
Dexamethasone suppression tests are used to assess the status of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and for the differential diagnosis of adrenal hyperfunction. The low-dose, 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test (which is what we offer) is used to assess nonsuppressible cortisol production production by adrenal lesions. Its major clinical use is to differentiate patients with Cushion's syndrome of any cause from patients who do not have Cushing's syndrome. The low dose suppression test has also been used to identify and characterize the endogenous form of depression.
By causing elevation of serun cortisol, stress will affect the results of this procedure (false positive; failure to suppress). The patient should be instructed to relax as much as possible. False positives can also be seen in acute and chronic illness, alcoholism, depression, morbid obesity, and drugs including estrogen, phenytoin, phenobarbitol, primidone. Results are not valid if the patient is taking ACTH or glucocorticoids.
By causing elevation of serun cortisol, stress will affect the results of this procedure (false positive; failure to suppress). The patient should be instructed to relax as much as possible. False positives can also be seen in acute and chronic illness, alcoholism, depression, morbid obesity, and drugs including estrogen, phenytoin, phenobarbitol, primidone. Results are not valid if the patient is taking ACTH or glucocorticoids.
Performing Laboratory
CRMC Laboratory (for cortisol testing)
