Cortisol is the most abundant circulating steroid and the major glucocorticoid secreted by the adrenal cortex. Physiologically effective in anti-inflammatory activity and blood pressure maintenance, cortisol is also involved in gluconeogenesis, calcium adsorption and gastric acid secretion. As an indicator of adrenal function, measurement of blood cortisol level is useful in the differentiation of Addison's and Cushing's disease, hypopituitarism and adrenal hyperplasia and carcinoma.
There is a marked diurnal variation in cortisol levels and hence it is important to note the time at which specimen has been taken.
Our reference intervals are for specimens collected between 06:00 and 10:00am.
May be collected as part of a suppression or stimulation test to assess adrenocorticol function.
Endocrinology Lab
CORT
Please label with collection time.
Please see individual pages for DEXAMETHASONE or SYNACTHEN tests.
Cpd F
Hydrocortisone
3 days
9407