Dexamethasone Suppression Test

Test Information

Test Name

Dexamethasone Suppression Test

Department

Biochemistry

Preferred Specimen

SST

Testing Location

All

Turn Around Time

1 Day

Collection Information

Preparation

Patient usually will be instructed to take 1mg Dexamethasone at 2300 hrs and present for a 0800- cortisol level blood test the following morning.

  • Confirm the patient took Dexamethasone at 2300 hrs (11:00PM) the night before
  • Do not proceed if this has not occurred - advise patient to consult with requestor
  • Document:
  1. Time Dexamethasone was taken
  2. Time of blood collection
  3. Dose taken (if known)

Processing Information

Registration Code

DEX

Notes

  • Enter dose details at Registration
  • If both Cortisol and Dexamethasone requested, register DEX only
  • If a sendaway Dexamethasone level is required, Biochemistry will add on DEXA test code, send to Waikato Hospital Laboratory

Methodology

Sample Storage

Fridge

Interpretations

View Interpretations