Austin Pathology

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Short Synacthen Test

Alternate Names
SST
Ordering Information

Please note, ACTH CANNOT be "added on" to a Short Synacthen request. ACTH has specific collection requirements and must be included on original request.

If SST is being performed for the investigation of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, please indicate clearly that 17 -Hydroxyprogesterone is required at EACH time point.

 

Instructions for: Non-Austin clinicians 

  • Please provide patient with pharmacy prescription for Synacthen. Austin Health does not provide Synacthen for patients without relevant Synacthen prescription.
Laboratory
Biochemistry
Specimen
Blood
Container
Serum tube (gold cap OR red cap w. yellow insert)
Collection Instructions
Collect at room temperature
Additional Collection Instructions

Collect the baseline cortisol specimen prior to the clinician giving patient 250 μg Synacthen IV or IM. 
Then collect further cortisol specimens at 30 minutes and 60 minutes post Synacthen.

Minimum Adult Volume
5mL
Minimum Paediatric Volume
None
Frequency
As required
Reference Interval

For the Beckman cortisol assay, the minimum peak cortisol cut-off (2.5th centile) for healthy subjects 30 mins post IV Synacthen is:

Males and Females (not on OCP): 460 nmol/L

Females on OCP: 600 nmol/L

Source: ESA/AACB/RCPA HEDT Guideline.

Test Code
SST
Container ID
S, SP
Laboratory Notes

Instructions for: Regional and Heidelberg Specimen Receptions

  • If 17OHP is ordered with SST, code SSTOHP