Cortisol Lab Vales

Objective:

Determine the significance and clinical use of Cortisol lab value in clinical practice

Lab Test Name:

Cortisol

Description:

Cortisol is a steroid hormone made by your adrenal glands. It helps your body respond to stress, regulate blood sugar, and fight infections.

Indications:

Diagnose disorders of the adrenal gland

• Addison’s disease -indicates adrenal insufficiency, resulting in a notable underproduction of cortisol.
• Cushing’s syndrome – adrenal glands produce too much cortisol. 
• Adrenal tumor- cause hyperproduction of cortisol
• Adrenal Insufficiency secondary to stress- the body pumps out excess cortisol when anxious or under intense stress, resulting in the potential for depletion

Normal Therapeutic Values:

Normal -because the body releases a different amount of cortisol at different points throughout the day, the normal values will vary depending on the time of lab draw.

AM- 10 to 20 mcg/dL

4 PM – 3-10 mcg/dL

1 hour after falling asleep – 5 mcg/dL

Collection: Can be collected in several ways: saliva, urine, and serum. 

• Serum Separator Tube- serum

What would cause increased levels?

High levels of cortisol might indicate:

• Stress response 
• Overactive pituitary gland or tumor 
• Adrenal gland tumor
• Cushing’s Syndrome

What would cause decreased levels?

Low levels of cortisol might indicate:

• Underactive or damaged adrenal glands
• Underactive pituitary gland or tumor