Quick Facts
- Sample: Urine (24-hour timed collection)
- Fasting: No fasting required
- Turnaround: 7-12 days (may take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays)
What This Test Measures
This test directly measures three urine biomarkers over a 24-hour collection period: free cortisol, cortisone, and creatinine. Cortisol and cortisone are hormones involved in the body's stress response and metabolism, while creatinine is a waste product used to help assess the completeness of the urine collection. Each biomarker is reported as a distinct, directly measured value from the same 24-hour urine specimen.
This test is not a calculated ratio or index. It reports individual quantitative results for free cortisol, cortisone, and creatinine, all obtained from the same timed urine sample.
Benefits
- Directly measures free cortisol in a 24-hour urine specimen.
- Directly measures cortisone in the same urine collection.
- Includes creatinine to help evaluate the urine collection.
- Supports evaluation related to Cushing's syndrome.
- May serve as a marker related to AME syndrome.
- Uses a single, convenient 24-hour urine collection.
Who Is This Test For?
- Adults whose healthcare provider wants to evaluate cortisol-related hormone levels.
- Adults being evaluated for signs associated with Cushing's syndrome.
- Adults whose provider is considering AME syndrome as part of an evaluation.
- Individuals directed by a healthcare provider to complete a 24-hour urine hormone test.
- Individuals whose provider is using this test alongside other clinical findings.
How It Works
- Order Your Test Online
- Visit a Local Lab
- Get Results Online
FAQ
1. What is the purpose of this test?
This test measures free cortisol, cortisone, and creatinine in a 24-hour urine specimen. These results may help a healthcare provider evaluate cortisol-related hormone activity, including patterns associated with Cushing's syndrome, and may serve as a marker related to AME syndrome. This test does not by itself diagnose any condition and is intended to be reviewed alongside other clinical information.
2. Who would benefit from this test?
This test may be appropriate for adults whose healthcare provider wants to evaluate free cortisol, cortisone, and creatinine levels as part of a broader clinical picture. It may be considered for individuals being evaluated for signs associated with Cushing's syndrome or for AME syndrome markers. Not everyone with related concerns will need this specific test, and the decision should be made with a healthcare provider.
3. When should I order this test?
You may consider this test if a healthcare provider has recommended evaluating cortisol-related hormone activity through a 24-hour urine collection. It may also be used as part of an evaluation involving Cushing's syndrome-related signs or AME syndrome markers. This test does not replace a full medical evaluation and should be interpreted within that broader context.
4. What does this test measure?
This test measures three directly measured analytes from a single 24-hour urine specimen: free cortisol, cortisone, and creatinine. None of these values are calculated ratios or indexes. The collection is timed over a full 24-hour period, beginning after an initial discarded morning void and ending with a final collection the following morning. Results are reported individually for each of the three biomarkers.
5. Do I need to fast before this test?
No fasting is required for this test. However, you must obtain a proper specimen container from the lab before beginning your 24-hour urine collection, and you should follow the specific collection instructions provided with your test order.
6. How quickly will I get results?
Results are typically available in 7 to 12 days. Results may take longer depending on weather, holidays, or other lab delays.
7. How do I interpret the results?
Interpreting your results depends on the specific analyte, your symptoms, medical history, medications, supplements, and the completeness and timing of your 24-hour urine collection. Free cortisol, cortisone, and creatinine are each reported and interpreted individually, and they are not interchangeable with one another. An abnormal result in one analyte does not automatically confirm a condition, and a normal result does not automatically rule one out. Your healthcare provider is best positioned to interpret these results alongside your full clinical picture.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
8. What should I do if my results are abnormal?
If any of your results fall outside the expected range, review them with a qualified healthcare provider. They can help determine what the result may mean in the context of your health history and whether any additional evaluation is appropriate. Do not attempt to interpret or act on abnormal results without professional guidance.
9. How often should I get tested?
Testing frequency should be determined by your healthcare provider based on your individual situation and the reason this test was ordered. There is no standard repeat testing schedule associated with this test. Follow your provider's recommendations for any follow-up testing.
Pre-test preparation
No fasting is required. You must take your lab order to the lab to obtain a proper specimen container before collection. Urinate at 8am and discard the specimen. Then collect all urine over the following 24-hour period, ending with a final collection at 8am the next morning. Refrigerate the collected urine between voidings or keep it in a cool place. Screw the lid on securely. Transport the specimen promptly to the laboratory. The container must be labeled with your full name and the date and time the collection started and finished.
