0.5 mL serum in red top or serum separator tube for baseline sample (labeled PRE) and 0.5 serum in red top or serum separator tube for each post sample (labeled POST).
Test Description
Cortisol Assay, 4 Samples: PRE (Baseline) and 3 POST Dexamethasone Suppression.
This test measures cortisol concentrations before and after administration of exogenous dexamethasone. This suppression test includes four samples; baseline cortisol prior to dexamethasone administration and three additional cortisol samples post dexamethasone administration (last occurring at 8-hours). Samples taken at 2 or 6-hours are interpreted similarly to those obtained at 4-hours.
Interferences: Marked hemolysis may affect results, and marked lipemia (if unable to be cleared by centrifugation) may falsely decrease cortisol levels.