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
Note time of dose, ideally this is a two day test
- Day 1: 0800 Baseline Cortisol; 2300 Patient takes 1mg Dexamethasone tablet
- Day 2: 0800 Cortisol
More commonly the patient is instructed to take 1mg Dexamethasone at 2300 hrs and present for a 0800 cortisol level blood test the following morning
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
Site Specific Notes
- Tauranga
If sendaway required, send directly to LabPlus (as per Biochemistry manual)
Methodology
Sample Storage
Fridge
Interpretations
View Interpretations