What is a plasma cortisol?
plasma cortisol is a laboratory test used to determine the levels of hormonal cortisol in the blood. Cortisol levels can provide important information about the patient's health and can be used in the diagnosis and treatment of a number of conditions, most related to the adrenal gland, a place where cortisol is produced. In plasma cortisol test, blood is taken from the patient and analyzed in the laboratory. Several samples may be required.
In healthy individuals, the adrenal gland cortisol is to help with a number of metabolic functions. The levels of this hormone in the body fluctuate during the day, and afternoon levels are usually about half the morning. If the levels are unusually high or low, it may be an indicator that the patient has a condition such as Cushing's disease, Addison's disease or adrenal insufficiency. High levels can also be an indicator of stress, because cortisol tends to rise in response to stress.Mh can be recommended to eat and exercise normally, fasting about 12 hours before from fromEbsting a blood sample. If possible, patients will have to stop taking medicines that could affect cortisol levels for two days before the test. If this is done by the patient's health because these drugs are needed for survival, the patient may continue to use them and the note will be done so that laboratory technicians are aware of the potential for chamfered results.
The common procedure includes drawing a sample in the morning and the next evening. Cortisol levels in the plasma will be compared both for determination, whether they are within the normal range and to see if they fall as expected during the day. This is an outpatient procedure, with patients leave after blood collection. Depending on the results, additional tests may be required or the doctor may discuss the possibilities of administration of cortisol and bnormal plasma.
When this test is recommended, patients may want to ask their doctors forand get more information about how plasma cortisol is relevant to their diagnosis and treatment. This test is used in a number of different ways and to be aware of what the doctor is looking for can help patients in adequate preparation. It is also important to overcome all the symptoms that are currently experiencing because they can provide important traces for the nature of the patient's condition.