Cortisol, Total, LC/MS
Test Code
11281
82533
Clinical Significance
Cortisol, Total, LC/MS - Total cortisol concentrations are decreased in Addison's Disease and increased in Cushing's Disease and in other conditions of glucocorticoid excess.
Test Resources
None found for this test
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Test Details
Methodology
Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry
This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by FDA. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.
Reference Range(s)
| Adult | |
| 8:00 - 10:00 AM | 4.6-20.6 mcg/dL |
| 4:00 - 6:00 PM | 1.8-13.6 mcg/dL |
| Cortisol Response to ACTH | |
| Peak | >20.0 mcg/dL |
| Peak | >16.0 mcg/dL after IM injection |
Pediatric
| Age | mcg/dL |
| Infants | |
| Premature (31-35 weeks)** | ≤15.0 |
| Term, 3 days old** | ≤14.0 |
| <30 days | Not established |
| 1-11 months | 1.4-24.0 |
| 1 year | 1.7-25.4 |
| 2 years | 1.8-26.4 |
| 3 years | 2.0-27.0 |
| 4 years | 2.0-27.2 |
| 5 years | 2.0-27.3 |
| 6 years | 2.0-27.2 |
| 7 years | 2.0-27.1 |
| 8 years | 2.0-27.0 |
| 9 years | 1.9-26.8 |
| 10 years | 1.9-26.4 |
| 11 years | 1.8-26.1 |
| 12 years | 1.8-26.0 |
| 13 years | 1.8-26.1 |
| 14 years | 1.9-26.6 |
| 15 years | 2.1-27.5 |
| 16 years | 2.3-28.6 |
| 17 years | 2.6-29.8 |
| ACTH Stimulation** | Baseline (mcg/dL) | 60 Minutes (mcg/dL) |
| 1-12 Months | 3.0-23.0 | 32.0-60.0 |
| 1-5 Years | 6.0-25.0 | 22.0-40.0 |
| 6-12 Years | 3.0-15.0 | 17.0-28.0 |
**Pediatric data from J Clin Endocrinol Metab
(1991) 73:674-686 and J Clin Endocrinol Metab
(1989) 69:1133-1136.
Preferred Specimen(s)
1 mL serum collected in a red-top tube (no gel)
Alternative Specimen(s)
Plasma collected in: EDTA (lavender-top) tube
Minimum Volume
0.2 mL
Collection Instructions
Specify time of day specimen was collected
Transport Container
Transport tube
Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Specimen Stability
- Room temperature: 14 days
- Refrigerated: 21 days
- Frozen: 1 year
Reject Criteria
Hemolysis • Lipemia • Serum separator tube (SST)
Setup Schedule
1 mL serum collected in a red-top tube (no gel)
Plasma collected in: EDTA (lavender-top) tube
0.2 mL
Specify time of day specimen was collected
Transport tube
Room temperature
Room temperature: 14 days
Refrigerated: 21 days
Frozen: 1 year
Refrigerated: 21 days
Frozen: 1 year
Hemolysis • Lipemia • Serum separator tube (SST)