Cortisol (saliva)

Referred to Berkshire & Surrey Pathology Services, Frimley Park Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Portsmouth Road, Frimley, Surrey GU16 7UJ
 

Alternative names, keywords

Late night salivary cortisol, 11pm cortisol, salivary cortisol day curve.

Samples required

Saliva (passive drool in plain Universal tube, or Salivette). 5 mL requested per tube.

Test indications

Late night salivary cortisol may be requested as part of investigations of ?Cushing's syndrome. Collection instructions are available (revision 2, last reviewed 26.4.2022). 

Day curves can be used to monitor glucocorticoid replacement. The referral laboratory provides instructions for collecting day curve samples.

Reference range

Late night (11pm): < 1.7 nmol/L

Day curve:
08:00     3 - 20 nmol/L
12:00     < 6.1 nmol/L
16:00     < 2.9 nmol/L
22:00     < 1.7 nmol/L

Turnaround time

Referral lab quotes turnaround time of 14 days, however additional time must be allowed for packing, dispatch and delivery of sample, and return and processing of results.

Enquiries

Biochemistry (Referrals)

 

Details