Test Id : DEXA
Dexamethasone, Serum
Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Confirming the presence of dexamethasone in serum
Confirming the cause of secondary adrenal insufficiency
This test is not useful as the sole basis for a diagnosis or treatment decisions.
Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
NY State Available
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Reporting Name
Lists a shorter or abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test
Aliases
Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching
ACTH
Baycadron
Baycadron Elixer
Ciprodex
Decadron
Dekpak
DEX
DEXA
Dexamethasone
Dexamethasone Suppression
DexPak
Dextenza
Dioptrol
DST
DXM
FDXM
HACE
HAPE
Hexadrol
Hidex
High-altitude cerebral edema
High-altitude pulmonary edema
Intensol
Maxidex
Maxitrol
Neofordex
Ozurdex
Taperdex
Tobradex
Zcort
Zema-Pak
Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type validated for testing
Serum
Ordering Guidance
To detect the metabolite of fluticasone or Flonase, order 17BFP / Fluticasone 17-Beta-Carboxylic Acid, Random, Urine.
For synthetic glucocorticoid analyte screen, order SGSS / Synthetic Glucocorticoid Screen, Serum.
Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Red top
Acceptable: Serum gel
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 2 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Draw blood between 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. the morning following an evening dose.
2. Centrifuge and aliquot serum into plastic vial within one hour of collection and freeze immediately.
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Therapeutics Test Request (T831) with the specimen.
Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of sample necessary to provide a clinically relevant result as determined by the testing laboratory. The minimum volume is sufficient for one attempt at testing.
0.6 mL
Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Gross hemolysis | OK |
| Gross lipemia | OK |
| Gross icterus | OK |
Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the performing laboratory, alternate acceptable temperatures are also included
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | Frozen (preferred) | 28 days | |
| Ambient | 72 hours | ||
| Refrigerated | 7 days |
Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Confirming the presence of dexamethasone in serum
Confirming the cause of secondary adrenal insufficiency
This test is not useful as the sole basis for a diagnosis or treatment decisions.
Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
Synthetic glucocorticoids are widely used and have an important clinical utility both as antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive agents. The medical use of these agents, as well as their surreptitious use, can sometimes lead to a confusing clinical presentation. Patients exposed to these steroids may present with clinical features of Cushing syndrome but with suppressed cortisol levels and evidence of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression.
Reference Values
Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
Baseline: <30 ng/dL
8:00 a.m. following 1 mg Dexamethasone, previous evening: >100 ng/dL
8:00 a.m. following 8 mg Dexamethasone, (4 x 2 mg doses) previous day: >800 ng/dL
Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
This test will screen for, and quantitate if present, the synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone.
The presence of this synthetic glucocorticoid in serum indicates the current or recent use of this compound.
Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
Lack of detection does not preclude use of dexamethasone because adrenal suppression may persist for some time after the exogenous steroid is discontinued.
Clinical Reference
Recommendations for in-depth reading of a clinical nature
1. Genere N, Kaur RJ, Athimulam S, et al. Interpretation of abnormal dexamethasone suppression test is enhanced with use of synchronous free cortisol assessment. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2021;107(3):e1221-e1230 doi:10.1210/clinem/dgab724
2. Cave A, Arlett P, Lee E. Inhaled and nasal corticosteroids: factors affecting the risks of systemic adverse effects. Pharmacol Ther. 1999;83(3):153
3. Bijlsma JW, van Everdingen AA, Huisman M, et al. Glucocorticoids in rheumatoid arthritis: effects on erosions and bone. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2002;966:82-90. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2022.tb04205.x
4. Genere N, Kaur RJ, Athimulam S, et al. Interpretation of abnormal dexamethasone suppression test is enhanced with use of synchronous free cortisol assessment. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2022;107(3):e1221-e1230. doi:10.1210/clinem/dgab724
Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
Dexamethasone is extracted from serum and measured by liquid chromatography (high-resolution accurate-mass) mass spectrometry.(Unpublished Mayo method)
PDF Report
Indicates whether the report includes an additional document with charts, images or other enriched information
Day(s) Performed
Outlines the days the test is performed. This field reflects the day that the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means that assays are performed multiple times during the day.
Tuesday, Thursday
Report Available
The interval of time (receipt of sample at Mayo Clinic Laboratories to results available) taking into account standard setup days and weekends. The first day is the time that it typically takes for a result to be available. The last day is the time it might take, accounting for any necessary repeated testing.
Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location
Indicates the location of the laboratory that performs the test
Fees :
Several factors determine the fee charged to perform a test. Contact your U.S. or International Regional Manager for information about establishing a fee schedule or to learn more about resources to optimize test selection.
- Authorized users can sign in to Test Prices for detailed fee information.
- Clients without access to Test Prices can contact Customer Service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Prospective clients should contact their account representative. For assistance, contact Customer Service.
Test Classification
Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR) product.
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
CPT Code Information
Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Clinic Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.
CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.
80299
LOINC® Information
Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the order and results codes of this test. LOINC values are provided by the performing laboratory.
| Test Id | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| DEXA | Dexamethasone, S | 14062-4 |
| Result Id | Test Result Name |
Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
|
|---|---|---|
| 609439 | Dexamethasone, S | 14062-4 |