Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
Sign In

22470 Cortisol, Serum, PM

Cortisol, Serum, PM
Test Code: PM-CORT
Specimen Requirements

Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)
Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
No​ ​​
Plasma/Serum​ Lithium-heparin Plasma Separator Tube (PST)
Lithium Heparin Green Top Tube (GTT), EDTA Lavender Top Tube (LTT), Serum Separator Tube (SST), Red Top Tube (RTT) 0.5 mL​0.4 mL​0.3 mL​
  • ​​GTT/RTT - physically separate plasma or serum from contact with cells as soon as possible of before transport.  Separate from cells within 30 minutes to minimize uptake of corticosteroids by RBCs
Collection Processing Instructions
Indicate actual collection time on tube. Separate cells within 30 minutes to minimize uptake of corticosteroids by RBC's. PM-CORT specimen is optimally collected within 30 minutes of 4pm or 9pm (the reference time for the published normal range).​
Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Plasma/Serum​ ​ Ambient​ 8 hours​
Refrigerated​ 2 days
Frozen​
90 days

​    Thaw samples only once
Interference
Fluorescein will interfere; blood should not be drawn for 48 hours following fluorescein angiography for diabetic retinopathy.
Human Anti-Murine Antibodies (HAMA) may develop leading to test interference in patients receiving murine based chemotherapy agents or tumor-imaging studies.​

For Tosoh AIA immunoassay method performed at Diagnostic and Treatment Center lab, the drug asfotase alfa (Strensiq®), used for the treatment of patients with perinatal/infantile- and juvenile-onset hypophosphatasia (HPP), causes falsely decreased test results. Test results from patients treated with asfotase alfa should be interpreted with respect to the clinical picture of the patient. Recommend sending test to Marshfield Center lab for analysis by an alternate method.
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Weston​ ​Monday through Sunday​​Less than 2 hours​​Competitive Enzyme Immunoassay/Tosoh
Marshfield​Monday through Sunday​Less than 2 hours​Beckman Coulter DXI

Test Information
Specifically request either "AM-CORT" or "PM-CORT" depending upon physician's request. Specify time to be drawn. Write actual collection time of specimen tube.
Ideally specimen should be obtained with 30 minutes of 1600 hours (or 2100 hours), the reference times for the published normal ranges for PM cortisols.
Frozen plasma should be avoided due to precipitates that may entrap steroids causing falsely low results.​
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
Weston
Afternoon Cortisol (1500-1700 hrs): 3-11 ug/dL ​
​Marshfield ​Afternoon Cortisol (1500-1700): <10 ug/dL
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)
Quantity Description Comments
82533​
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
​​Cerner
​Cortisol, Serum, PM

If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements

Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)
Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
No​ ​​
Plasma/Serum​ Lithium-heparin Plasma Separator Tube (PST)
Lithium Heparin Green Top Tube (GTT), EDTA Lavender Top Tube (LTT), Serum Separator Tube (SST), Red Top Tube (RTT) 0.5 mL​0.4 mL​0.3 mL​
  • ​​GTT/RTT - physically separate plasma or serum from contact with cells as soon as possible of before transport.  Separate from cells within 30 minutes to minimize uptake of corticosteroids by RBCs
Collection Processing
Indicate actual collection time on tube. Separate cells within 30 minutes to minimize uptake of corticosteroids by RBC's. PM-CORT specimen is optimally collected within 30 minutes of 4pm or 9pm (the reference time for the published normal range).​
Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Plasma/Serum​ ​ Ambient​ 8 hours​
Refrigerated​ 2 days
Frozen​
90 days

​    Thaw samples only once
Interference
Fluorescein will interfere; blood should not be drawn for 48 hours following fluorescein angiography for diabetic retinopathy.
Human Anti-Murine Antibodies (HAMA) may develop leading to test interference in patients receiving murine based chemotherapy agents or tumor-imaging studies.​

For Tosoh AIA immunoassay method performed at Diagnostic and Treatment Center lab, the drug asfotase alfa (Strensiq®), used for the treatment of patients with perinatal/infantile- and juvenile-onset hypophosphatasia (HPP), causes falsely decreased test results. Test results from patients treated with asfotase alfa should be interpreted with respect to the clinical picture of the patient. Recommend sending test to Marshfield Center lab for analysis by an alternate method.
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
Weston
Afternoon Cortisol (1500-1700 hrs): 3-11 ug/dL ​
​Marshfield ​Afternoon Cortisol (1500-1700): <10 ug/dL
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Weston​ ​Monday through Sunday​​Less than 2 hours​​Competitive Enzyme Immunoassay/Tosoh
Marshfield​Monday through Sunday​Less than 2 hours​Beckman Coulter DXI

For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)
Quantity Description Comments
82533​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.