Biochemistry

Salivary Cortisol

Specimen Volume

0.5 ml saliva

Sample Preparation

None required

Turnaround Time

15 working days (3 weeks)

Sample Stability

Store sample at 4C after collection

General Information

The level of cortisol in saliva normally drops to low levels overnight. However, people with Cushing's syndrome show high levels late in the evening and overnight, and may be asked to collect a sample of saliva at midnight. Normally, this test is done at home and delivered to hospital in the next few days.

Patient Preparation

Individuals should avoid eating and brushing teeth for 30 minutes before collecting saliva samples to minimise the potential for blood contamination.

Saliva specimens should be collected using a Sarstedt cortisol salivette.  Saliva collected into a plain container by passive drool is also acceptable

Notes

Salivettes for saliva collection can be requested from specimen reception.

Reference Range

Early morning range (7-9 a.m.): 3.2-22.8 nmol/L

Late night range (11 p.m. to 12 a.m.): <3.2 nmol/L

Specifications

  • EQA Status: IBL
  • EQAS Scheme: Yes

Creation Date

Wednesday, 01 February 2017

Modification Date

Wednesday, 10 May 2023

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Protection of Personal Information – Clinical Laboratory Services comply with the Trust Data Protection Policy and have procedures in place to allow the Directorate and it’s employees to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and associated best practice and guidance.

University Hospitals Birmingham medical laboratories at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital are UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited to the ISO 15189:2012 standard. For a list of accredited tests and other information please visit the UKAS website using the following link: https://www.ukas.com/find-an-organisation/

  • Molecular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8759
  • Biochemistry is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8910
  • Haematology and Transfusion is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8784
  • Clinical Microbiology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8760
  • Cellular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 10141
  • Musculoskeletal laboratory is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 9897
  • Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull Hospital pathology laboratories are a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No.8217.

Tests not appearing on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation currently remain outside of our scope of accreditation. However, these tests have been validated to the same high standard as accredited tests and are performed by the same trained and competent staff.

For further test information, please visit the test database: http://qehbpathology.uk/test-database

For further information contact Louise Fallon, Quality Manager, 0121 371 5962