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22559 Dexamethasone Suppression Test

Dexamethasone Suppression Test
Test Code: AM-CORT
Synonyms/Keywords
Cortisol, AM​
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​ Serum or Plasma​ Serum Separator Tube (SST) Red Top Tube (RTT)​, Lithium-heparin Plasma Separator Tube (PST),  Sodium-heparin Green Top Tube (GTT)​ 0.5 mL​0.4 mL​ 0.3 mL​
Collection Processing Instructions
Indicate actual collection time on tube. Separate cells within 30 minutes to minimize uptake of corticosteroids by RBC's.​
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum/Plasma​ Ambient​ 8 hours​
Refrigerated​ 48 hours on gel​
Refrigerated​ 7 days aliquoted​
Frozen​ 7 days to 1 month​
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
Marshfield Monday through Sunday​Less than 2 hours​
Competitive Immunoassay using Direct Chemiluminescent Technology/Siemens Centaur
Test Information
Add test comment "Dexamethasone Suppression Test" when requesting.

**See Dexamethasone Suppression Test for test protocol.​
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
Marshfield​ None​
Interpretation
Values >10 ug/dL suggest Cushing's Syndrome but may also be due to stress, failure to take dexamethasone, treatment with phenobarbital or phenytoin or endogenous depression. ​
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
82533 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​
Synonyms/Keywords
Cortisol, AM​
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
​Centricity ​Cortisol, AM
​Cerner ​Cortisol Morning
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​ Serum or Plasma​ Serum Separator Tube (SST) Red Top Tube (RTT)​, Lithium-heparin Plasma Separator Tube (PST),  Sodium-heparin Green Top Tube (GTT)​ 0.5 mL​0.4 mL​ 0.3 mL​
Collection Processing
Indicate actual collection time on tube. Separate cells within 30 minutes to minimize uptake of corticosteroids by RBC's.​
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum/Plasma​ Ambient​ 8 hours​
Refrigerated​ 48 hours on gel​
Refrigerated​ 7 days aliquoted​
Frozen​ 7 days to 1 month​
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
Marshfield​ None​
Interpretation
Values >10 ug/dL suggest Cushing's Syndrome but may also be due to stress, failure to take dexamethasone, treatment with phenobarbital or phenytoin or endogenous depression. ​
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Marshfield Monday through Sunday​Less than 2 hours​
Competitive Immunoassay using Direct Chemiluminescent Technology/Siemens Centaur
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.