Specimen Requirements

This test must be scheduled with Central Scheduling prior to testing. Call 621-6422 to schedule testing.

Draw blood in a serum gel tube(s). (Hemolyzed specimen is not acceptable.) Spin down and send 1 mL of serum refrigerated for each of the following:

1. Baseline cortisol (drawn prior to injection)

2. 30 minutes post-injection cortisol level

3. 60 minutes post-injection cortisol level

Note: 

1. Patient must be resting, lying down in a darkened room, for duration of stimulation test.

2. For inpatients, nursing will obtain and administer Cosyntropin® directly from hospital pharmacy.

3. Label specimen with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, date and time of draw, phlebotomist’s initials, and as baseline, 30 minutes, and 60 minutes.

Specimen stability:  8 hours at room temperature

                                    2 days refrigerated

                                    Indefinitely when frozen

Minimum volume:  2mL