ACTH, Plasma
Test Summary
Determination of ACTH is useful in differentiating between primary and secondary adrenocortical hypo- and hyperfunctional disorders: Addison's Disease, Cushing's Syndrome, Adrenal Carcinoma, Ectopic ACTH Syndrome, Nodular Hyperplasia.
Aliases
- ACTH
Specimen Collection
Special Instructions
N/A
Preferred Specimen
1.5 mL plasma collected in an EDTA (lavender-top) tube
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Instructions
Draw specimens between 7AM and 10AM. If drawn during any other time, the reference ranges do not apply. Centrifuge immediately. Transfer the plasma to a plastic transport tube and ship frozen. Do not thaw. (If unable to centrifuge immediately, specimen must be kept on ice and spun within 1 hr of collection).
Specimen cannot be shared, draw a separate tube for any other plasma testing.
Specimen cannot be shared, draw a separate tube for any other plasma testing.
Patient Preparation
Draw specimen between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. If drawn during any other time, the reference ranges do not apply.
Storage
N/A
Transport Temperature
Frozen
Specimen Stability
- Room temperature: 16 hours
- Refrigerated: 24 hours
- Frozen: 28 days
Limitations
With patients receiving more than 5mg/day of biotin, a sample should be taken no sooner than eight hours after previous dose. Patients treated with monoclonal mouse antibodies may have inaccurate results. High titer of antibodies such as streptavidin and ruthenium may cause interference. Due to its correlation with cortisol levels, ACTH concentration is affected by stress. Any single measure may be within the reference range for patients with increased production (Cushing's disease) or minimal production of ACTH.
Other Acceptable Specimens
PPT potassium EDTA (white-top) tube
Unacceptable Specimens
Lavender top received on ice more than 1 hr post collection or received room temperature. Quest will reject if plasma received room temperature or refrigerated.
Order Code
ACTH
EPIC (Premier) Code
LAB011
Includes
N/A
CPT Code
- 82024
Billing Code
- 670517
CPT Statement
Methodology
Immunoassay (IA)
FDA Status
FDA Approved
Physician Attestation of Informed Consent
N/A
Testing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
14225 Newbrook Drive
Chantilly VA, 20153
14225 Newbrook Drive
Chantilly VA, 20153
Department
Reference Testing
Reference Range
| <3 Years | Not established |
| 3-17 Years | 9-57 pg/mL |
| ≥18 Years | 6-50 pg/mL |
Setup Schedule / Expected Turnaround Time
Monday - Saturday; Report available: Same day
Specimen Collection
Special Instructions
N/A
Preferred Specimen
1.5 mL plasma collected in an EDTA (lavender-top) tube
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Instructions
Draw specimens between 7AM and 10AM. If drawn during any other time, the reference ranges do not apply. Centrifuge immediately. Transfer the plasma to a plastic transport tube and ship frozen. Do not thaw. (If unable to centrifuge immediately, specimen must be kept on ice and spun within 1 hr of collection).
Specimen cannot be shared, draw a separate tube for any other plasma testing.
Specimen cannot be shared, draw a separate tube for any other plasma testing.
Patient Preparation
Draw specimen between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. If drawn during any other time, the reference ranges do not apply.
Storage
N/A
Transport Temperature
Frozen
Specimen Stability
- Room temperature: 16 hours
- Refrigerated: 24 hours
- Frozen: 28 days
Limitations
With patients receiving more than 5mg/day of biotin, a sample should be taken no sooner than eight hours after previous dose. Patients treated with monoclonal mouse antibodies may have inaccurate results. High titer of antibodies such as streptavidin and ruthenium may cause interference. Due to its correlation with cortisol levels, ACTH concentration is affected by stress. Any single measure may be within the reference range for patients with increased production (Cushing's disease) or minimal production of ACTH.
Other Acceptable Specimens
PPT potassium EDTA (white-top) tube
Unacceptable Specimens
Lavender top received on ice more than 1 hr post collection or received room temperature. Quest will reject if plasma received room temperature or refrigerated.
Result Information
Methodology
Immunoassay (IA)
Testing Laboratory
N/A
Reference Range
| <3 Years | Not established |
| 3-17 Years | 9-57 pg/mL |
| ≥18 Years | 6-50 pg/mL |
Setup Schedule / Expected Turnaround Time
Monday - Saturday; Report available: Same day