Test Overview
Test Methodology

Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

Test Usage

Screening for Cushing syndrome.

Reference Range *

11 pm - 12 midnight: <100 ng/mL; 7 am - 9 am: 100 - 750 ng/mL; 3 pm - 5 pm: <401 ng/mL.

* Reference ranges may change over time. Please refer to the original patient report when evaluating results.

Test Limitations

Acute stress (including hospitalization and surgery), alcoholism, depression, and many drugs (eg, exogenous glucocorticoids, anticonvulsants) can obliterate normal diurnal variation, affect response to suppression/stimulation tests, and cause elevated cortisol levels. Cortisol levels may be increased in pregnancy and with exogenous estrogens.

Test Details
Days Set Up
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Analytic Time

3 - 5 days

Soft Order Code
SALCT
MiChart Code
Cortisol, Salivary (Sendout)
Synonyms
  • Salivary Cortisol
  • SALCT
  • Cortisol, Saliva
  • COLT3 - SALCT: Collection Time in Milatary
Laboratory
Sendout
Reference Laboratory
Mayo SALCT (84225)
Section
Special Testing
Specimen Requirements
Collection

Call Sendouts to obtain salivette 936-6777

Collection Instructions

1) Do not brush teeth before collecting specimen. 2) Do not eat or drink for 15 minutes prior to specimen collection. 3) Collect specimen between 11 pm and 12 midnight (preferred), 7 am and 9 am, or 3 pm and 5 pm. 4) Place swab directly into mouth by tipping salivette container so that swab falls into mouth; do not touch swab with fingers. 5) Keep swab in mouth for 2 minutes. Roll swab in mouth; do not chew swab. 6) Place swab back into container and replace cap. Refrigerate.

Normal Volume
1.5 mL saliva
Minimum Volume
0.6 mL saliva
Additional Information

Test sent to Mayo Medical Laboratories.

Call Sendouts to obtain salivette 936-6777

Billing
CPT Code
82533
Fee Code
20714
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