Sign in →

Order Code REFER TO ORDER SET Dexamethasone Suppression-CRH Stimulation Test

Important Note

This procedure must be scheduled with 2N as they need to administer the drug and monitor the patient.

Useful For

Dexamethasone suppression test measures whether adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) secretion by the pituitary can be suppressed.

Specimen Requirements

Plasma ACTH
Specimen Type: EDTA Plasma

Container/Tube: Ice-cooled, lavender-top (EDTA) tube

Specimen Volume: 1 mL (minimum volume: 0.5 mL)

Collection Instructions:

  1. Blood is drawn for ACTH at 0 minutes for basline, then Acthrel is administered.
  2. Blood is drawn for ACTH at 15 minutes.
  3. Blood is drawn for ACTH at 30 minutes.
  4. Blood is drawn for ACTH at 45 minutes.
  5. Blood is drawn for ACTH at 60 minutes.
  6. Spin down in a refrigerated centrifuge and immediately separate plasma from cells.
  7. Send specimen frozen in plastic vial.

Cortisol, Serum

Specimen Type: Serum

Container/Tube: Plain, red-top tube (gel is acceptable) 
Specimen Volume: 1.0 mL

Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions: 

  1. Blood is drawn for cortisol at 0 minutes for baseline, then Acthrel is administered.
  2. Blood is drawn for cortisol at 15 minutes.
  3. Blood is drawn for cortisol at 30 minutes.
  4. Blood is drawn for cortisol at 45 minutes.
  5. Blood is drawn for cortisol at 60 minutes.
  6. All specimens must be spun down promptly.
  7. Send specimens refrigerated in plastic vial.

Specimen Stability

ACTH:

Specimen Type Temperature Stability
EDTA Plasma Frozen 28 days

 

Cortisol:

Specimen Type              Temperature                       Stability             
Serum Ambient 4 hours
  Refrigerated (preferred) 5 days
  Frozen 4 weeks

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Saturday

Performing Laboratory

Ridgeview Medical Center Laboratory and Mayo Medical Laboratories

Methodology

Competitive Immunoassay/Immunoenzymatic Assay

Test Classification and CPT Coding

82024 - ACTH

82533 - Cortisol

Reporting Title

Dexamethasone Suppression - CRH Stimulation test