Test Directory

Useful For:

• Screening for Cushing syndrome
• Diagnosis of Cushing syndrome in patients presenting with symptoms or signs suggestive of the disease

Specimen Type: Saliva

Collection Container: Saliva Cortisol Kit

Desired Specimen Volume: 1.5 mL

1. Patient to collect saliva in saliva collection kit (Salivette) tube between 23:00 and midnight.
2. Collection time required for testing (military time).

1. Order should reflect the date and time that the patient collected the sample.

1. Patient should not brush teeth, eat, drink, or take any oral medication for at least 60 minutes before specimen collection.
2. Patient should rinse mouth thoroughly with water for 1-5 seconds. Wait 10 minutes before collecting the specimen to avoid contamination of the saliva by interfering substance.

Transport to the laboratory refrigerated. 

See patient report.

Acute stress (including hospitalization and surgery), alcoholism, depression, and many drugs (eg, exogenous glucocorticoids, anticonvulsants) can obliterate normal diurnal variation, affect response to suppression/stimulation tests, and cause elevated cortisol levels.

Cortisol levels may be increased in pregnancy and with exogenous estrogens.

Midnight salivary cortisol assay cannot diagnose hypocortisolism or Addison disease because of the limited sensitivity of the assay method.

• Nighttime Salivary Cortisol
• Salivary Cortisol
• Salivary Cushings
• Salivary Hydrocortisone