Category
SPECIAL CHEMISTRY.
Sub Category
ENDOCRINE
Synonyms/Aliases
-N/A
Abbreviations
-N/A
Type
INDIVIDUAL TEST
Results
RESULTS READY/ REPORTED 2-4 HRS.
Method
IMMUNOASSAY
Temp
FROZEN PREFERRED OR REFRIGERATED. AMBIENT (ROOM) TEMPERATURE NOT ACCEPTABLE.
Setup
DAILY
Components Parameters
NOT APPLICABLE
PRE-ANALYTIC CONSIDERATIONS
Test Ordering Instructions
FILL OUT TEST REQUEST FORM FULLY & LEGIBLY. COLLECT BETWEEN 8-9 AM
Patient preparation
COLLECT BETWEEN 8-9 AM
Sample type
SERUM (COLLECT BETWEEN 8-9 AM)
Container/ preservative
SERUM SEPARATOR TUBE (SST/ GEL) OR PLAIN (RED TOP) VACUTAINER.
Sample volume
AT LEAST 2ML.
Rejection criteria
LABELING ISSUE (UNLABELED/ MISLABELED); MISSING REQUEST FORM; MISMATCH BETWEEN REQUEST FORM & SAMPLE DETAILS; MISSING AGE/ GENDER; WRONG SAMPLE TYPE; INSUFFICIENT SAMPLE.SAMPLE COLLECTED OUTSIDE THE SPECIFIED TIME
Other Instructions
CENTRIFUGE SST (SERUM GEL TUBES) WITHIN 1-2 HOURS OF COLLECTION. CENTRIFUGE RED TOP VACUTAINERS AND ALIQUOT SERUM WITHIN 1-2 HOURS OF COLLECTION. THE SEPARATION VIAL MUST BE LABELED WITH AT LEAST 2 PATIENT IDENTIFIERS AND THE SAMPLE TYPE.
Reference intervals
REFERENCE RANGES APPLY FOR SAMPLES COLLECTED BETWEEN 7-10 A.M. CORTISOL UNDERGOES DIURNAL VARIATION WITH PEAK CONCENTRATION OCCURRING AT 6 A.M. TO 8 A.M.
Clinical Utility
EVALUATION OF CUSHING'S SYNDROME, CUSHING'S DISEASE (HYPERCORTISOLISM) AND ADDISON'S DISEASE (HYPOCORTISOLISM).
Test Limitations/ Confounders
USE OF STEROIDS AFFECTS RESULTS. IMMUNOASSAY INTERFERENCE CAN GIVE RISE TO SPURIOUS RESULTS. SUCH INTERFERENCE CAN ARISE FROM PRESENCE OF HETEROPHILE ANTIBODIES, ANTI-ANIMAL ANTIBODIES, AUTOANTIBODIES, PARAPROTEINS, BIOTIN ETC. RESULTS SHOULD ALWAYS BE CORRELATED WITH CLINICAL FINDINGS.