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22168 Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
Test Code: ACTH-P
Synonyms/Keywords
​​​ACTH, Corticotropin​
Useful For
This test is useful for determining the cause of hypercortisolism and hypocortisolism states.​
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​ EDTA Pink Top Tube (PTT)-pre-chilled​ EDTA Lavender Top Tube (LTT)-pre-chilled​ 0.5 mL​ 0.5 mL​ 0.4 mL​
Collection Processing Instructions

1. Morning (6 a.m.-10:30 a.m.) specimen is desirable.
2. Collect with a pre-chilled pink or lavender top (EDTA) tube and transport to the laboratory on ice.
3. Centrifuge at refrigerated temperature within 2 hours and immediately separate plasma from cells.
4. If sample is received on “off-hours", immediately freeze plasma.  If during normal business hours (M-F, 8am – 3pm), deliver to department on wet ice.

For outreach clients without a refrigerated centrifuge:  Please deliver to Marshfield Labs within 2 hours of collection in a chilled tube, transported on ice.  Or schedule the patient to be drawn at a location with a refrigerated centrifuge.​

Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Plasma​ ​ Refrigerated​ 12 hours​
Frozen​ 30 days​
Rejection Criteria
​Specimens refrigerated greater than 12 hours
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Marshfield​ Monday through Friday​ 1 day​ DPC Immulite  ​
Test Information
Morning (6 a.m. to 10 a.m.) specimens are desirable. This test is useful for determining the cause of hypercortisolism and hypocortisolism states.​
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
Marshfield​ 0 - 46 pg/mL (a.m. draws). ​
Interpretation
Lower level of reporting is 5​. No established reference ranges for p.m. draws.​
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
82024 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​
Synonyms/Keywords
​​​ACTH, Corticotropin​
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
​Cerner ​ACTH-P
​COM ​ACTH-Adrenocort Hormone
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​ EDTA Pink Top Tube (PTT)-pre-chilled​ EDTA Lavender Top Tube (LTT)-pre-chilled​ 0.5 mL​ 0.5 mL​ 0.4 mL​
Collection Processing

1. Morning (6 a.m.-10:30 a.m.) specimen is desirable.
2. Collect with a pre-chilled pink or lavender top (EDTA) tube and transport to the laboratory on ice.
3. Centrifuge at refrigerated temperature within 2 hours and immediately separate plasma from cells.
4. If sample is received on “off-hours", immediately freeze plasma.  If during normal business hours (M-F, 8am – 3pm), deliver to department on wet ice.

For outreach clients without a refrigerated centrifuge:  Please deliver to Marshfield Labs within 2 hours of collection in a chilled tube, transported on ice.  Or schedule the patient to be drawn at a location with a refrigerated centrifuge.​

Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Plasma​ ​ Refrigerated​ 12 hours​
Frozen​ 30 days​
Rejection Criteria
​Specimens refrigerated greater than 12 hours
Useful For
This test is useful for determining the cause of hypercortisolism and hypocortisolism states.​
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
Marshfield​ 0 - 46 pg/mL (a.m. draws). ​
Interpretation
Lower level of reporting is 5​. No established reference ranges for p.m. draws.​
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Marshfield​ Monday through Friday​ 1 day​ DPC Immulite  ​
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
82024 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.