2269. Free Cortisol (daily urine)
Important information
*For the test, you must submit a 24-hour urine sample in a collection container.
Description
Cortisol (the stress hormone) is a substance synthesized by the adrenal glands and regulates a number of important physiological processes in the body.
Determining the level of cortisol is essential for diagnosing many endocrine disorders. Given that cortisol levels fluctuate throughout the day, a single blood measurement may be insufficiently informative. Therefore, assessing the total (daily) amount of cortisol excreted in the urine objectively reflects the hormone’s secretion.
When and who needs the test?
- Numerous and progressive symptoms characteristic of Cushing’s syndrome/disease (obesity, arterial hypertension, hyperglycemia, myopathy, plethora, osteoporosis, pathological fractures, red striae, increased fragility of the skin and soft tissues, menstrual irregularities).
- Atypical clinical symptoms for the patient’s age (osteoporosis, arterial hypertension).
- In children with growth retardation and excessive weight gain.
- Adrenal incidentaloma with imaging characteristics of an adenoma.
- Monitoring glucocorticoid therapy.
Biological material
- Urine
Preparing for urinalysis
RULES FOR COLLECTING BIOMATERIAL
A spontaneous morning urine sample is used.
- Collect urine for 24 hours, maintaining a normal drinking regime.
- After waking up in the morning, empty your bladder (this portion of urine is poured into the toilet).
- All subsequent urine for testing should be collected within...