Home
HelpTest ID CORTO Cortisol, Free and Total, Serum
Ordering Guidance
For confirming the presence of synthetic steroids, order SGSS / Synthetic Glucocorticoid Screen, Serum.
Cushing syndrome is characterized by increased serum cortisol levels. However, the 24-hour urinary free cortisol excretion is the preferred screening test for Cushing syndrome, specifically CORTU / Cortisol, Free, 24 Hour, Urine that utilizes liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. A normal result makes the diagnosis unlikely.
The most common cause of increased plasma cortisol levels in women is a high circulating concentration of estrogen (ie, estrogen therapy, pregnancy) resulting in increased concentration of corticosteroid-binding globulin. This does not result in an increase in the free, bioactive cortisol fraction. For this reason, measurement of 24-hour urinary free cortisol (CORTU / Cortisol, Free, 24 Hour, Urine) or demonstration of absent diurnal variation (ie, by midnight salivary cortisol measurement SALCT / Cortisol, Saliva) are the preferred means of diagnosing spontaneous Cushing syndrome.
This test is not recommended for evaluating response to metyrapone; DCORT / 11-Deoxycortisol, Serum is more reliable.
A low plasma cortisol level does not give conclusive indication of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. DCORT / 11-Deoxycortisol, Serum; OHPG / 17-Hydroxyprogesterone, Serum; and DHEA_ / Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), Serum provide a more accurate and specific determination of the enzyme deficiency.
Additional Testing Requirements
Necessary Information
Include time of collection.
Specimen Required
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube: Red top (serum gel/SST are not acceptable)
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1.85 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Morning (8 a.m.) specimens are preferred. The 8 a.m. cortisol can be referred to as the a.m. cortisol and can be collected anywhere between 6 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. in the morning.
2. Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
Additional Information: If multiple specimens are collected, send separate order for each specimen.
Useful For
Assessment of cortisol status in cases where there is known or a suspected abnormality in cortisol-binding proteins or albumin
Assessment of adrenal function in the critically ill or stressed patient, thus preventing unnecessary use of glucocorticoid therapy
Second-order testing when cortisol measurement by immunoassay (eg, CORT / Cortisol, Serum) gives results that are not consistent with clinical symptoms, or if patients are known to, or suspected of, taking exogenous synthetic steroids
An adjunct in the differential diagnosis of primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency
An adjunct in the differential diagnosis of Cushing syndrome
Profile Information
| Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| CINP | Cortisol, S, LC-MS/MS | Yes | Yes |
| CORTF | Cortisol, Free, S | Yes | Yes |
Special Instructions
Method Name
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Reporting Name
Cortisol, Free and Total, SSpecimen Type
Serum RedSpecimen Minimum Volume
1 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum Red | Refrigerated (preferred) | 28 days | |
| Ambient | 28 days | ||
| Frozen | 28 days |
Reference Values
FREE CORTISOL
6-10:30 a.m. Collection: 0.121-1.065 mcg/dL
TOTAL CORTISOL
5-25 mcg/dL (a.m.)
2-14 mcg/dL (p.m.)
Pediatric reference ranges are the same as adults, as confirmed by peer-reviewed literature.
Petersen KE. ACTH in normal children and children with pituitary and adrenal diseases. I. Measurement in plasma by radioimmunoassay-basal values. Acta Paediatr Scand. 1981;70(3):341-345
Day(s) Performed
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
Report Available
3 to 9 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Test Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
82530
82533
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| CORTO | Cortisol, Free and Total, S | 100662-6 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 84279 | Cortisol, S, LC-MS/MS | 2143-6 |
| 65423 | Cortisol, Free, S | 2145-1 |
| 23606 | AM Cortisol | 9813-7 |
| 23607 | PM Cortisol | 9812-9 |