A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # |
ACTH
Test CodeACTH
Alias/See Also
ACTH, Plasma
Quest Code
211
Quest Code
211
CPT Codes
82024
Preferred Specimen
1.5 mL plasma collected in an EDTA (lavender-top) tube, transferred to a plastic screw-cap vial
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Patient Preparation
Collect specimen between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. If drawn at any other time, the reference ranges do not apply.
Patient Preparation
Collect specimen between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. If drawn at any other time, the reference ranges do not apply.
Instructions
Please submit a separate, frozen vial for each test ordered requiring a frozen sample.
Centrifuge immediately after collection to separate plasma from cells. Transfer plasma to a plastic specimen transport container and mark the specimen type as plasma on the container. Freeze immediately.
Centrifuge immediately after collection to separate plasma from cells. Transfer plasma to a plastic specimen transport container and mark the specimen type as plasma on the container. Freeze immediately.
Transport Temperature
Frozen
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 16 hours
Refrigerated: 24 hours
Frozen: 28 days
Refrigerated: 24 hours
Frozen: 28 days
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Received thawed
Methodology
Immunoassay
Setup Schedule
Monday-Saturday
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.
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, and adrenal nodular hyperplasia.
Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
Chantilly, VA