Cortisol

How to Cite This Chapter: Don-Wauchope A, Chetty VT, Ivica J, Kavsak P, Khan WI, Lafreniere M, Nouri K, Solnica B. Cortisol. McMaster Textbook of Internal Medicine. Kraków: Medycyna Praktyczna. https://empendium.com/mcmtextbook/chapter/B31.1269.3.7.158. Accessed March 28, 2024.
Last Updated: May 9, 2022
Last Reviewed: May 9, 2022
Chapter Information

For a brief introduction and guide to abbreviations, see Laboratory Tests: General Remarks.

Analyte [material]

Cortisol [S/P/U24h/SA]

Reference range, target level, or decision threshold

[S/P] 138-690 nmol/L (5-25 microg/dL) in the morning

[U] 220-330 nmol/24 h (80-120 microg/24 h) (depending on method)

[SA] 0.3-4.3 nmol/L (10.9-156 ng/dL) in late evening

Interpretation of results

↑ Overactive adrenal glands (usually Cushing syndrome)

↓ Adrenal insufficiency

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