Cortisol
| Abbrev Code: | CORT | ||
| Order Code: | LAB61 | Order Name: | Cortisol |
| Order Instructions: | If ordered as baseline, 30 m or 60 m use these codes: CORTB (LAB3407), CORT30 (LAB3405) and CORT60 (LAB3406). For other specific times, e.g., 15 m, use CORT (LAB61). For Dexamethasone Suppression, use CORTDEX (LAB8293). | ||
| Synonyms: | Compound F; Hydrocortisone, Serum | ||
| Methodology: | Immunoassay using competition principle | ||
| CPT Codes: | 82533 x1, 82533 x1 | ||
| Turnaround Time: | Performed and reported 24 hours/day. | ||
Collection Instructions
| Specimen: | Blood |
| Optimal Volume: | 2.5 mL |
| Minimum\Peds Volume: | 0.6 mL |
| Container: | Green (lithium heparin, gel) Alternate Containers: Green (lithium heparin, no gel), Green (lithium heparin, gel) on ICE, Red (no gel), Red (gel) |
| Collection Instructions: | Blood should be collected at 8 AM and 4 PM to evaluate baseline diurnal variation. |
| Causes for Rejection: | Gross hemolysis |
Processing and Shipping
| Specimen Processing: | Centrifuge and aliquot 1.25 mL, 0.2 mL minimum. Store in refrigerator. |
| Shipping Instructions: | Ship at refrigerated temperature to arrive within 48 hours of collection. Alternatively, ship on dry ice. |
| Stability: | 1 day at room temperature; 4 days refrigerated; 1 year frozen. |
| Test Performed at or Referral Lab | Chemistry (Roche-UMMC East) |
Interpretive
| Reference Range: | For infants less than 6 months: "Infants typically develop adult values and diurnal variation of cortisol between 2-6 monnths of age. Therefore, cortisol levels measured in infants less than 6 months old should be interpreted accordingly." Ref: Early Hum Dev: 2003 Aug; 73(1-2); 39-52.
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| Limitations: | Circulating cortisol results from patients receiving Prednisolone or Prednisone therapy may be falsely elevated. Exercise caution with cortisol determinations for patients undergoing therapy with these and structurally related synthetic corticosteroids. | ||||
| Use: | Best used for evaluating adequacy of adrenal or pituitary function. |
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