Cortisol by LC-MS/MS, Serum or Plasma

Also known as: CORT TMS

Clinical Use

Use

This test measures cortisol levels in serum or plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Monitoring cortisol levels is clinically significant for diagnosing adrenal insufficiencies, evaluating hypopituitarism, and guiding the management of conditions like Cushing’s syndrome or Addison’s disease. This quantitative assay provides reliable and precise measurement of cortisol concentrations in serum samples, aiding clinicians in the assessment of adrenal function and overall hormonal balance in patients.

Special Instructions

Not provided.

Limitations

The test is not cleared or approved by the US FDA, although it is performed in a CLIA-certified laboratory intended for clinical purposes. Factors influencing test results may include improper specimen handling or storage, timing of sample collection, and adherence to pre-test instructions, particularly for conditions requiring post-stimulation measurements. Ambient, refrigerated, and frozen stability constraints must be adhered to for accurate test outcomes. Certain medications or medical conditions affecting cortisol levels can also impact test accuracy and should be considered when interpreting results.

Test Details

New York Approved

Methodology

Mass Spectrometry

Biomarkers

Cortisol

Analyte

Cortisol level

Concentration / Level • Quantitative (Continuous) (e.g., copies/mL, % expression)

LOINC Codes

Result Codes

2143-6 - Cortis SerPl-mCnc

Result Turnaround Time

2-5 days

Specimen

Serum

Volume

1 mL

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Container

ARUP Standard Transport Tube

Collection Instructions

Collect specimen using a serum separator tube, lavender (EDTA), pink (K2EDTA), or green (sodium or lithium heparin) tube. Separate serum or plasma from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection.