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Test Code Cortisol Stimulation Test Cortisol Stimulation Test

Important Note

Draw baseline specimen. Give medication within 15 minutes.

Draw second specimen exactly 30 minutes after medication administration.

Draw third specimen exactly 60 minutes after medication administration.

Draw fourth specimen exactly 90 mintues after medication administariton.

Performing Laboratory

Memorial Hospital Laboratory- Automated Procedures 304-388-5953

Specimen Requirements

Plasma-Mint Green, Dark Green Lithium Heparin or Serum-SST gold top, red top

Allow SST or red top to completely clot

Spin and physically separate plasma/serum from contact with cells as soon as possible

4 mL of plasma/serum (minimum 2 mL)

Specimen Rejection

  • Improperly labeled, collected, stored, and transported
  • Quantity not sufficient

Storage and Stability

Room temperature 15-30oC 8 hrs
Refrigerated 2-8oC 48 hrs
Frozen <-20oC Not specified

Reference Values

Normal response to cortrosyn stimulation is an increase of >7-10 mcg/dL with a peak cortisol level of >18-20 mcg/dL

 

Methodology

Chemiluminescent  immunoenzymatic competitive assay

Days Test Set Up and Turnaround

Monday through Sunday, Continuously

AM Collection Expected by 9AM same day
Routine Expected within 24 hrs
Stat Expected within 1 hr
Timed Expected results are test dependant

CPT Coding

82533

Additional Information

For assays employing antibodies, the possibility exists for interference by heterophile antibodies in the patient sample. Patients who have been regularly exposed to animals or have received immunotherapy or diagnostic procedures utilizing immunoglobulins or immunoglobulin fragments may produce antibodies, e.g. HAMA, that interfere with immunoassays. Additionally, other heterophile antibodies such as human anti-goat antibodies may be present in patient samples.
Such interfering antibodies may cause erroneous results. Carefully evaluate the results of patients suspected of having these antibodies.

The Access Cortisol results should be interpreted in light of the total clinical presentation of the patient, including: symptoms, clinical history, data from additional tests and other appropriate information.

Serum cortisol levels may appear depressed in patients that are pregnant or undergoing hormone therapy (e.g. oral/vaginal contraceptives). If the result does not match the clinical picture, perform a urinary (free) cortisol to confirm.

Elevated cortisol levels may occur in patients receiving prednisolone or prednisone (which is converted to prednisolone in vivo) due to cross-reactivity to prednisolone.