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Test ID: CORT    
Cortisol, Serum

Method Description Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference

The instrument used is a Beckman Coulter UniCel DxI 800. The Access Cortisol assay is a competitive binding immunoenzymatic assay. A specimen is added to a reaction vessel with rabbit antibody to cortisol, cortisol-alkaline phosphatase conjugate, and paramagnetic particles coated with goat anti-rabbit capture antibody. Cortisol in the specimen competes with the cortisol-alkaline phosphatase conjugate for binding sites on a limited amount of specific anti-cortisol antibody. Resulting antigen:antibody complexes bind to the capture antibody on the solid phase. After incubation in a reaction vessel, materials bound to the solid phase are held in a magnetic field while unbound materials washed away. Then the chemiluminescent substrate Lumi-Phos 530* is added to the reaction vessel and light generated by the reaction is measured with a luminometer. The light production is inversely proportional to the amount of cortisol in the specimen. The amount of analyte in the specimen is determined from stored, multi-point calibration curve. (Package insert: Access Cortisol, Beckman-Coulter, Brea, CA 2007)

Day(s) and Time(s) Test Performed Outlines the days and times the test is performed. This field reflects the day and time the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time required before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means assays are performed several times during the day.

Monday through Friday 5 a.m. – 12 a.m., Saturday 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Analytic Time Defines the amount of time it takes the laboratory to setup and perform the test. This is defined in number of days. The shortest interval of time expressed is "same day/1 day," which means the results may be available the same day that the sample is received in the testing laboratory. One day means results are available 1 day after the sample is received in the laboratory.

Same day/1 day

Maximum Laboratory Time Defines the maximum time from specimen receipt at Mayo Medical Laboratories until the release of the test result

3 days

Specimen Retention Time Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded

14 days

Performing Laboratory Location The location of the laboratory that performs the test

Rochester