Corticosterone Test and Its Price in Delhi, India

The corticosterone test measures the level of cortisol in the body. Cortisol, known as the stress hormone, is important for several bodily functions. A cortisol test requires blood, urine, saliva, or a mixed sample, and the test is often repeated. Results outside the normal range may indicate Cushing's disease, Addison's disease, or a tumor.

How do I prepare for a corticosterone test?

Your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions. For example, do not eat, drink, or brush your teeth before the saliva test. You may need to rest beforehand so stress doesn't affect your results.

How does the corticosterone test work?

Cortisol can be measured in blood, urine, saliva, or a combination of these. Your doctor will tell you which tests to recommend.

Blood Test: At a doctor's office, clinic, or laboratory, a healthcare worker inserts a fine needle into a vein in your arm. A needle draws a small blood sample into a tube. You may feel a slight tingling sensation when inserting the needle.

Saliva Test: You or your healthcare provider place the swab in your mouth and wait a few minutes for the swab to become saturated with saliva. If you want to do the test yourself at home, your doctor will give you a special kit. They will tell you when to take the test and how to return the samples.

Urinalysis: Your doctor will give you a container to collect your urine. Most urine cortisol tests track all urine produced in 24 hours. Your healthcare instructor may request you hoard the urine in a cool place before paying back it to the office or laboratory.

Because cortisol levels fluctuate, the cortisol test may need to be repeated by him twice a day or several times over several days.

Normal value

A normal level of cortisol in a blood sample taken at 8:00 am is 5 to 25 mcg/dL.

What do the corticosterone test results mean?

• Cortisol test results can tell you a lot. Your healthcare instructor will illustrate the outcomes and what they imply.
• High cortisol levels may indicate:
• A pituitary tumor produces adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which stimulates the production of cortisol.
• Tumors of the adrenal glands that stimulate surplus cortisol.
• A tumor anywhere in the body B. Small cell lung cancer.

Low cortisol levels may indicate:

• A pituitary tumor that slows ACTH production.
• Adrenal insufficiency or damage.
• Hypophysis of the pituitary gland.