Cortisol Response to ACTH Stimulation, Serum

Message

For Specimen Integrity during Extreme Weather see the “Lockbox Usage in Extreme Weather” document at the top of this page.

Test Code

ACTHST

CPT Codes
82533 (x4)

Includes

Cortisol Response, Baseline
Cortisol Response, 15 Minutes
Cortisol Response, 30 Minutes
Cortisol Response, 60 Minutes

Preferred Specimen

1 mL serum (x4) collected in red-top tubes (no gel)

Minimum Volume

0.2 mL for each timed specimen

Other Acceptable Specimens

Plasma collected in EDTA (lavender-top) tubes

Instructions

Draw morning baseline specimen. Administer 250 mcg Cortrosyn. Draw additional specimens at 15, 30 and 60 minutes. For each timed specimen submitted, each tube must be clearly marked with time drawn. Submit all tubes with one test request form.

Quest will accept a baseline and any of the time intervals listed as long as this is indicated on the order and samples clearly labeled with collection times.

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 14 days
Refrigerated: 21 days
Frozen: 1 year

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

Gross hemolysis • Serum separator tubes (SST)

Methodology
Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

Setup Schedule

Set up: Mon-Sat; Report available: 2-6 days

Reference Range

Cortisol Baseline	5-21 mcg/dL
Cortisol 15 minutes	13-30 mcg/dL
Cortisol 30 minutes	14-36 mcg/dL
Cortisol 60 minutes	14-41 mcg/dL

Clinical Significance

The cortisol response to infusion of synthetic ACTH is useful in diagnosing patients with adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease).

Performing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute-San Juan Capistrano, CA

33608 Ortega Highway

San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-2042

Last Updated: June 2, 2022

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.