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Cortisol: urinalysis takes 24 hours to be performed

Cortisol: urinalysis takes 24 hours to be performed

A urine cortisol test is done to measure the level of this hormone. Cortisol plays a role in the metabolism of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates. It affects blood glucose levels, helps maintain blood pressure and helps regulate the immune system. The hormone is circulating in the blood and part is excreted in the urine.

Cortisol is produced and secreted by the adrenal glands, two triangular organs that lie on top of the kidneys. The production of the hormone is regulated by the pituitary gland, a small organ located below the brain. When the level of cortisol in the blood drops, the body begins to produce ACTH (adrenocorticotrophic hormone). ACTH stimulates the adrenal adrenal glands to produce and release cortisol. Thus, it is common to order cortisol together with ACTH.

Normally, cortisol levels increase when ACTH is low and fall when ACTH is high. Conditions that affect the pituitary gland or adrenal glands can increase or decrease the amount of ACTH and cortisol that the glands produce, interfering with their regulation.

Indications

The test is done to check whether cortisol production is high or low on body. Diseases such as Cushing's syndrome and Addison's disease can lead to exaggerated or decreased cortisol production.

High production of cortisol causes symptoms related to Cushing's syndrome, such as:

  • Hypertension
  • Hyperglycemia
  • Obesity
  • Fragile skin
  • Purple stripes in the abdomen
  • Loss of muscle mass and weakness
  • Osteoporosis
  • Irregular menstrual periods
  • Excess hair (in women)
  • Developmental delay and short stature (in children)

A lack of cortisol may also justify the examination. Diseases related to low levels of cortisol are adrenal insufficiency and Addison's disease. Common symptoms are:

  • Unintentional weight loss
  • Muscle weakness
  • Fatigue
  • Low blood pressure
  • Abdominal pain
  • Dark skin patches (occurs in Addison's disease but not insufficiency adrenal).

Contraindications

Because it is a common urine test, there are no express contraindications for the measurement of cortisol in the urine. However, the doctor or doctor will tell you whether or not you can take the test.

Pregnant can do?

Women during pregnancy are allowed to take the examination as directed medical, there being no contraindications. However, the results may be altered due to the hormonal changes typical of gestation. Usually, the cortisol level goes up during pregnancy.

Examination of cortisol in the urine does not require a fast. For women, it is best not to collect during menstruation.

It is also important to tell the doctor or doctor what medications you take regularly, including dietary supplements. In some cases, it may be necessary to stop using the medication. However, do not stop taking any medicine without a professional authorization.

How It Is Done

Urine cortisol testing is usually done on a sample of all urine produced within a 24-hour period. 24 hour urine collection is done as follows:

  • You withdraw the material for collection in a laboratory or hospital, preferably the same one for which you will deliver the sample after
  • When you wake up in the morning, empty the bladder, but do not save this urine. Write down the time you urinated to mark the start of your 24-hour collection period.
  • During the next 24 hours, you collect all of your urine. The doctor's office or laboratory will usually provide you with a large container containing about 4 liters. The container has a small amount of preservative in it. The ideal is to urinate in a small clean container and then pour the urine into the gallon. Do not touch the inside of the container with your fingers
  • Keep the large container in the refrigerator
  • Empty the bladder for the last time as close as possible to the end of 24 hours. Add urine to the container and record the time
  • Do not drop toilet paper, through the pubic, stools, menstrual blood or other foreign material in the urine sample.

Examination time

Examination of cortisol in the urine sample. urine takes 24 hours to be performed as all urine from that period must be collected.

Post-examination recommendations

There are no special recommendations following the examination. The patient can perform his activities normally.

Periodicity of the exam

There is no periodicity for a cortisol examination. All of this will depend on the doctor's guidelines and the presence or absence of diseases that must be accompanied by the test.

Risks

There is no risk involved in the cortisol examination in the urine

Results

Results of the exam usually become available within a few days. The interpretation of the cortisol urine test depends on the reason why it was required.

Normal results

Cortisol levels are measured in microgram (μg) per urine sample (24h): Normal values ​​for urinary free cortisol are:

  • Male: 4.2 to 60.0 μg / 24h
  • Female: 3.0 to 43.0 μg / 24h

Abnormal results

Values ​​above normal for cortisol in urine may indicate:

  • Cushing's syndrome
  • Hyperactive adrenal glands
  • Adrenal gland tumor
  • Some cancers that affect ACTH or cortisol production
  • Prolonged use of corticosteroids
  • Severe liver or kidney disease
  • Depression
  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Obesity
  • Pregnancy or use of birth control pills
  • Conditions such as recent surgery, illness, injury or generalized infection (sepsis) can cause high levels of cortisol.

Low levels of cortisol in the urine may indicate:

  • Addison's disease
  • Infection affecting the glands
  • Problems with the pituitary gland affecting the adrenal glands, such as cancer or a head injury
  • Hypopituitarism, where the pituitary gland does not signal the adrenal gland to produce sufficient cortisol
  • Hypophyseal or

What may affect the test result

The following situations may change the results of the ACTH test:

What may affect the test result

The following situations may occur change the results of the ACTH test:

  • Medications that affect cortisol or ACTH production
  • Pregnancy, which tends to drop cortisol levels
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Physical or emotional stress
  • Do not collect exactly 24 hours of urine.


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