Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

1 mL aliquot frozen plasma; minimum 0.5 mL. Please submit a separate frozen aliquot for this test. It may not be combined with any other test requiring a frozen aliquot.

Collect samples between 7 and 10 a.m. (recommended). 
Collect in iced EDTA tubes and transport in ice bath to lab for processing is recommended (a cup with water and a small amount of ice will work well). 
For non-GMC sites, submit a frozen aliquot.

Centrifuge, remove plasma, and freeze plasma immediately. Submit 1 mL aliquot of plasma.

Frozen.

Room temperature or refrigerated: 12 hours. Frozen: 30 days at -20°C.

Specimens beyond stability limits.

7.2 to 63.3 pg/mL for a.m. draws (7 a.m. to 10 a.m.).

Adrenocorticotropic hormone.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone, ACTH, CORTICOTROPIN, ADRENAL CORTICOTROPIN, CORTROSYN

ACTH determinations are valuable in the differential diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency and hypersecretion. In primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease), elevated levels of ACTH are typical, while low levels are the rule when adrenal insufficiency is secondary to pituitary dysfunction. ACTH may also be used to identify the cause of cortisol hypersecretion in Cushing's syndrome.