Dexamethasone Suppression Test

Last Modified: 9/20/2023 8:08:12 AM


Medical Necessity Documentation:  
Client Notes:  
Patient Preparation:  Patient should discontinue taking Biotin, Vitamin B7, or Vitamin H 48 hours before getting blood drawn.
Specimen Requirements: 1.0 mL Serum in a SST Gold Top Tube
Collection Instructions:
Depression Method
 
1. Request a baseline Cortisol to be drawn before dosage is given.
2.  A dose of 1 mg of Dexamethasone is to be given to the patient at 11:00 P.M.
3. Request a 4:00 P.M. and 11:00 P.M. Cortisol to be drawn the next day. Minor variations from these time (+) or (-) one hour, will not affect the performance of the test.
Transport & Storage: Temperature/Stability: 48 hours Refrigerated

24 hours unspun
Reference Range: Refer to Interpretive Results
Critical Ranges:  
Test Comments:  Patients taking vitamin supplements containing high doses of biotin (>5 mg/day) may have falsely increased test results generated.
Methodology: Chemiluminescence
Clinical Significance:  
Documentation:
Two methods are acceptable for Dexamethasone Suppression Testing. 
    The first one is used primarily as a screening test for Cushing’s Syndrome (Test Code DSTC1)
    The second is used on psychiatric patients to diagnose depression.(Test Code DST)
Custom Panel: No

PRODUCTION SCHEDULE

Sites Performed: Parkview Regional Medical Center
PHL Test Code: DST
EPIC Test Code: LAB2287
Alternate Test Names: Dexamethasone Suppresion for Depression; DST
Included Tests: Baseline Cortisol; 4pm Cortisol; 11pm Cortisol
CPT Coding: 82533 x 3

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