Cortisol in Urine

24-Hour Cortisol Free Urine Test

Results

A cortisol test is done to measure the level of the hormone cortisol in a 24-hour sample of urine.

Normal

Normal results may vary from lab to lab.

Cortisol level in a 24-hour urine sample

Adult	Less than 100 micrograms (µg) or less than 276 nanomoles (nmol)
Teen	5–55 µg or 14–152 nmol
Child	2–27 µg or 5–75 nmol

High values

• One cause of Cushing's syndrome is Cushing's disease, a condition caused by a noncancerous tumor of the pituitary gland (adenoma). An adenoma causes the pituitary gland to make too much of the hormone adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which in turn causes the adrenal glands to make too much cortisol.
• ACTH can be made by other conditions, such as cancer of the lung. This high ACTH level causes the adrenal glands to make more cortisol.
• The adrenal gland can develop tumors (benign or cancerous) that make cortisol and cause Cushing's syndrome.
• A high blood cortisol level can be caused by severe liver or kidney disease, depression, hyperthyroidism, or obesity.
• Conditions such as recent surgery, illness, injury, or whole body infection (sepsis) can cause high cortisol levels.

Go to previous section	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: August 21, 2006
Medical Review:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Alan C. Dalkin, MD - Endocrinology
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.