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Cortisol

Tube Type = Mint Green Plasma Separator Tube

Tube Type

Test ID LAB61
EPIC Order CORTISOL
CPT Code(s) 82533
Group/Individual Test Individual
Laboratory Core Laboratory
Tube Station Routine: 30; STAT: 888
Specimen Routine: 4 mL blood/green lithium heparin gel tube. Also acceptable gold SST or red plain tube; See Comments
Micro: 0.9 mL blood/mint green top bullet/gold top/red top
Stability

Unspun:
<8 hours

Spun/Separated:
Room Temperature: 8 hours
Refrigerated:  2 days
Frozen:  4 weeks
Availability Routine: 24 hrs/day
STAT: Yes
Turnaround Time Routine: 2 hrs; STAT: 1 hr
Reference Range Normal:
AM: 5.27 - 22.45 µg/dL
PM: 3.44 - 16.76 µg/dL
Critical: <1.5 µg/dL
Comment
This test is performed using the Siemens Atellica IM Cortisol assay effective 7/13/21. Different test methods should not be used interchangeably. Heterophilic antibodies may cause interference.

Reviewed by J. Carr on January 13, 2026

UNC Hospitals
McLendon Clinical Laboratories
101 Manning Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27514