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Test Code N.CORTISOL CORTISOL 

Important Note

Steriods may cause artificially elevated cortisol values due to cross reactivity.

Sample collected in sodium heparin tubes may give slightly lower values.

Additional Codes

COR

Methodology

Automated Chemistry Analyzer 

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Serum or Plasma 
Container/Tube: SST or Lithium Heparin

Acceptable: Red top
Specimen Volume: 1 mL (minimum 0.5) 
Collection Instructions:  

  1. Allow specimen to clot completely if a serum tube (SST) was used. 
  2. Separate serum (SST) or plasma (Lithium Heparin) from cells within 24 hours and transport refrigerated. If red top tube is collected, separate serum from cells within 2 hours and place in separate plastic tube. 
  3. Properly label tube with patient's name, DOB, requisition number and type of tube, i.e. LiHep or NaHep etc.  

Specimen Transport/Stability

Refrigerated: 8 hours on gel, 6 days poured off

 

If there will be delay in transport, centrifuge specimen according to instructions above and transfer to properly labeled aliquot container. 

Specimen Rejection

  1. Exceeds stability  
  2. Gross hemolysis 
  3. Unlabeled/mislabeled specimen 

Maximum Laboratory Time

24 - 48 hours

Reference Ranges

Reference ranges for Cortisol are dependent on the time of draw.

Cortisol                        mcg/dL
Cortisol AM (Before 1000)                      3.7 - 19.4
Cortisol PM (After 1700)                      2.9 - 17.3

 

 

Day(s) Test Set Up

Daily

Test Classification and CPT Coding

82533