Cortisol

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