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Test Code CORTR Cortisol Random

Methodology

Chemiluminescence/Competitive Binding Immunoenzymatic Assay

Performing Laboratory

St. Luke's Hospital Cedar Rapids

Specimen Requirements

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Green-top (lithium heparin) tube

Acceptable: Gold-top serum gel tube or Plain Red-top tube, EDTA plasma

Specimen Volume: 6 uL plus dead space of plasma or serum

Stability: Keep tubes stoppered and upright at all times.  Do not use samples that have been stored at room temperature for longer than 24 hours.  Samples on the analyzer should be analyzed within 2 hrs. Samples are acceptable until 4 days at 2° to 8°C and  -20°C  for 12 months.  Freeze samples only once and mix thoroughly after thawing. 

 

Reference Values

AM: 4.8-19.5 ug/dL

PM:  2.5-11.9 ug/dL

 

In normal patients, serum cortisol levels fall in late afternoon to approximately one-half the morning values.

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Test Classification and CPT Coding

82533

Useful For

Cortisol levels are useful in the diagnosis of hypothalamic, pituitary, or adrenal malfunction. 

Excess cortisol levels are found in Cushing’s syndrome (adrenal cortical hyperfunction) while decreased levels are found in Addison’s Disease (adrenal cortical insufficiency).

Report Available

STAT:  Within 1 hour of receipt

Routine:  Within 2 hours of receipt