Test Id : CCFR
Cortisol/Cortisone, Free, Random, Urine
Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Investigating suspected Cushing syndrome (hypercortisolism), when a 24-hour collection is prohibitive (ie, pediatric patients).
Assisting in diagnosing acquired or inherited abnormalities of 11-beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase (cortisol to cortisone ratio)
Diagnosis of pseudohyperaldosteronism due to excessive licorice consumption
This test has limited usefulness in the evaluation of adrenal insufficiency.
This test is not useful for evaluation of hypocorticalism.
Profile Information
A profile is a group of laboratory tests that are ordered and performed together under a single Mayo Test ID. Profile information lists the test performed, inclusive of the test fee, when a profile is ordered and includes reporting names and individual availability.
| Test Id | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| COCOR | Cortisol, Random, U | No | Yes |
| CRETR | Creatinine, Random, U | Yes, (order RCTUR) | Yes |
Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test
COCOR: Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
CRETR: Enzymatic Colorimetric Assay
NY State Available
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Reporting Name
Lists a shorter or abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test
Aliases
Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching
Cortisol Free U
Cortisol, Random, Urine
Cortisol/Cortisone, Random U
Cortisone, Random, Urine
Free Cortisol
Free Urinary Cortisol
Urinary Free Cortisol
Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type validated for testing
Urine
Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing
Supplies: Urine tube, 10 mL (T068)
Collection Container/Tube: Clean, plastic urine container with no metal cap or glued insert
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic, 10-mL urine tube or clean, plastic aliquot container with no metal cap or glued insert
Specimen Volume: 10 mL
Collection Instructions: Collect a random urine specimen.
Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of sample necessary to provide a clinically relevant result as determined by the testing laboratory. The minimum volume is sufficient for one attempt at testing.
5 mL
Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the performing laboratory, alternate acceptable temperatures are also included
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urine | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days | |
| Ambient | 72 hours | ||
| Frozen | 28 days |
Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Investigating suspected Cushing syndrome (hypercortisolism), when a 24-hour collection is prohibitive (ie, pediatric patients).
Assisting in diagnosing acquired or inherited abnormalities of 11-beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase (cortisol to cortisone ratio)
Diagnosis of pseudohyperaldosteronism due to excessive licorice consumption
This test has limited usefulness in the evaluation of adrenal insufficiency.
This test is not useful for evaluation of hypocorticalism.
Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
Cortisol is a steroid hormone synthesized from cholesterol by a multienzyme cascade in the adrenal glands. It is the main glucocorticoid in humans and acts as a gene transcription factor influencing a multitude of cellular responses in virtually all tissues. It plays a critical role in glucose metabolism, maintenance of vascular tone, immune response regulation, and in the body's response to stress. Its production is under hypothalamic-pituitary feedback control.
Only a small percentage of circulating cortisol is biologically active (free), with the majority of cortisol inactive (protein bound). As plasma cortisol values increase, free cortisol (ie, unconjugated cortisol or hydrocortisone) increases and is filtered through the glomerulus. Urinary free cortisol (UFC) correlates well with the concentration of plasma free cortisol. UFC represents excretion of the circulating, biologically active, free cortisol that is responsible for the signs and symptoms of hypercortisolism. UFC is a sensitive test for the various types of adrenocortical dysfunction, particularly hypercortisolism (Cushing syndrome). A measurement of 24-hour UFC excretion by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is the preferred screening test for Cushing syndrome. LC-MS/MS methodology eliminates analytical interferences including carbamazepine (Tegretol) and synthetic corticosteroids, which can affect immunoassay-based cortisol results.
Cortisone, a downstream metabolite of cortisol, provides an additional variable to assist in the diagnosis of various adrenal disorders, including abnormalities of 11-beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase (11-beta HSD), the enzyme that converts cortisol to cortisone. Deficiency of 11-beta HSD results in a state of mineralocorticoid excess because cortisol (but not cortisone) acts as a mineralocorticoid receptor agonist. Licorice (active component glycyrrhetinic acid) inhibits 11-beta HSD and excess consumption can result in similar changes.
Reference Values
Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
CORTISOL
Males
0-2 years: 3.0-120 mcg/g creatinine
3-8 years: 2.2-89 mcg/g creatinine
9-12 years: 1.4-56 mcg/g creatinine
13-17 years: 1.0-42 mcg/g creatinine
> or =18 years: 1.0-119 mcg/g creatinine
Females
0-2 years: 3.0-120 mcg/g creatinine
3-8 years: 2.2-89 mcg/g creatinine
9-12 years: 1.4-56 mcg/g creatinine
13-17 years: 1.0-42 mcg/g creatinine
> or =18 years: 0.7-85 mcg/g creatinine
CORTISONE
0-2 years: 25-477 mcg/g creatinine
3-8 years: 11-211 mcg/g creatinine
9-12 years: 5.8-109 mcg/g creatinine
13-17 years: 5.4-102 mcg/g creatinine
18-29 years: 5.7-153 mcg/g creatinine
30-39 years: 6.6-176 mcg/g creatinine
40-49 years: 7.6-203 mcg/g creatinine
50-59 years: 8.8-234 mcg/g creatinine
60-69 years: 10-270 mcg/g creatinine
> or =70 years: 12-311 mcg/g creatinine
Use the conversion factors below to convert each analyte from mcg/g creatinine to nmol/mol creatinine:
Conversion factors
Cortisol: mcg/g creatinine x 312=nmol/mol creatinine
Cortisone: mcg/g creatinine x 314=nmol/mol creatinine
Cortisol molecular weight=362.5
Cortisone molecular weight=360.4
Creatinine molecular weight=113.12
Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
Most patients with Cushing syndrome have increased urinary excretion of cortisol and/or cortisone. Further studies, including suppression or stimulation tests, measurement of serum corticotrophin concentrations, and imaging are usually necessary to confirm the diagnosis and determine the etiology.
Values in the normal range may occur in patients with mild Cushing syndrome or with periodic hormonogenesis. In these cases, continuing follow-up and repeat testing are necessary to confirm the diagnosis.
Patients with Cushing syndrome due to intake of synthetic glucocorticoids should have both suppressed cortisol and cortisone. In these circumstances a synthetic glucocorticoid screen might be ordered (SGSU / Synthetic Glucocorticoid Screen, Random, Urine).
Suppressed cortisol and cortisone values may also be observed in primary adrenal insufficiency and hypopituitarism. However, random urine specimens are not useful for evaluation of hypocorticalism.
Patients with 11-beta HSD deficiency may have cortisone to cortisol ratios less than 1, whereas a ratio of 2 or 3:1 is seen in normal patients. Excessive licorice consumption and use of carbenoxolone, a synthetic derivative of glycyrrhizinic acid used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, also may suppress the ratio to less than 1.
Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
Random urine cortisol results are less reliable than results obtained from properly collected and complete 24-hour urine specimens, which are not affected by diurnal variations in cortisol levels.
Acute stress (including hospitalization and surgery), alcoholism, depression, and many drugs (eg, exogenous cortisone, anticonvulsants) can obliterate normal diurnal variation, affect response to suppression/stimulation tests, and increase baseline levels.
Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry methodology eliminates analytical interferences including carbamazepine (Tegretol) and synthetic corticosteroids.
Random urine specimens may yield falsely elevated values when patients have a high urinary output.
Renal disease (decreased clearance) may cause falsely low values.
Values may be elevated to twice normal in pregnancy.
Patients with exogenous Cushing syndrome caused by ingestion of hydrocortisone will not have suppressed cortisol and cortisone values.
When N-acetylcysteine is administered at levels sufficient to act as an antidote for the treatment of acetaminophen overdose, it may lead to falsely decreased creatinine results.
Supportive Data
Multiple calibration curves for urinary cortisol and cortisone exhibited consistent linearity and reproducibility in the range of 7 to 828 nmol/L (0.25-30 mcg/dL). Inter-assay coefficients of variation were 7.3% to 16% for mean concentrations of 6 to 726 nmol/L (0.2-26.3 mcg/dL) for cortisol and cortisone. The detection limit was 6 nmol/L (0.2 mcg/dL). Recovery of cortisol and cortisone added to urine was 97% to 123%. The regression equation for the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) (y) and high performance liquid chromatography (x) method for cortisol was: y = 1.11x + 0.03 mcg cortisol/24 h (r(2) = 0.992; n = 99). The regression equation for the LC-MS/MS (y) and immunoassay (x) methods for cortisol was: y = 0.66x - 12.1 mcg cortisol/24 h (r(2) = 0.67; n = 99).(1)
Clinical Reference
Recommendations for in-depth reading of a clinical nature
1. Taylor RL, Machacek D, Singh RJ. Validation of a high-throughput liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for urinary cortisol and cortisone. Clin Chem. 2002;48:1511-1519
2. Findling JW, Raff H. Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2001;30:729-747
3. Boscaro M, Barzon L, Fallo F, Sonino N. Cushing's syndrome. Lancet. 2001;357:783-791
4. Suzuki S, Minamidate T, Shiga A, et al. Steroid metabolites for diagnosing and predicting clinicopathological features in cortisol-producing adrenocortical carcinoma. BMC Endocr Disord. 2020;20(1):173. doi:10.1186/s12902-020-00652-y
Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
Cortisol and Cortisone:
The cortisol and cortisone are extracted from the resulting supernatant by an online extraction utilizing high throughput liquid chromatography. This is followed by conventional liquid chromatography and analysis on a tandem mass spectrometer equipped with a heated nebulizer ion source. Deuterated cortisol (d4-cortisol, d7-cortisone) is added to a 0.1 mL sample as an internal standard. Cortisol.(Unpublished Mayo Method)
Creatinine:
The enzymatic method is based on the determination of sarcosine from creatinine with the aid of creatininase, creatinase, and sarcosine oxidase. The liberated hydrogen peroxide is measured via a modified Trinder reaction using a colorimetric indicator. Optimization of the buffer system and the colorimetric indicator enables the creatinine concentration to be quantified both precisely and specifically.(Package insert: Creatinine plus ver 2. Roche Diagnostics; V15.0, 03/2019)
PDF Report
Indicates whether the report includes an additional document with charts, images or other enriched information
Day(s) Performed
Outlines the days the test is performed. This field reflects the day that the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means that assays are performed multiple times during the day.
Monday through Friday
Report Available
The interval of time (receipt of sample at Mayo Clinic Laboratories to results available) taking into account standard setup days and weekends. The first day is the time that it typically takes for a result to be available. The last day is the time it might take, accounting for any necessary repeated testing.
Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location
Indicates the location of the laboratory that performs the test
Fees :
Several factors determine the fee charged to perform a test. Contact your U.S. or International Regional Manager for information about establishing a fee schedule or to learn more about resources to optimize test selection.
- Authorized users can sign in to Test Prices for detailed fee information.
- Clients without access to Test Prices can contact Customer Service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Prospective clients should contact their account representative. For assistance, contact Customer Service.
Test Classification
Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR) product.
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
CPT Code Information
Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Clinic Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.
CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.
82542
82530 - Cortisol
82570 - Creatinine
LOINC® Information
Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the order and results codes of this test. LOINC values are provided by the performing laboratory.
| Test Id | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| CCFR | Cortisol/Cortisone, Free, Random, U | In Process |
| Result Id | Test Result Name |
Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
|
|---|---|---|
| 10328 | Cortisol/Creatinine Ratio | 11155-9 |
| 10329 | Cortisone/Creatinine Ratio | 30511-0 |
| CRETR | Creatinine, Random, U | 2161-8 |