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Test ID: SGSU Synthetic Glucocorticoid Screen, Random, Urine

Reporting Name

Synthetic Glucocorticoid Screen, U

Useful For

Confirming the presence of the listed synthetic glucocorticoids

 

Confirming the cause of secondary adrenal insufficiency

Clinical Information

Synthetic glucocorticoids are widely used and have important clinical utility both as anti-inflammatory 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.

Interpretation

This test screens for and quantitates, if present, the following synthetic glucocorticoids: betamethasone, budesonide, dexamethasone, fludrocortisone, megestrol acetate, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone, and triamcinolone acetonide.

 

The presence of synthetic glucocorticoids in urine indicates current or recent use of these compounds. Since several of these compounds exceed the potency of endogenous cortisol by 1 or more orders of magnitude, even trace levels may be associated with cushingoid features.

Report Available

5 to 11 days

Day(s) Performed

Wednesday

Clinical Reference

1. Cave A, Arlett P, Lee E. Inhaled and nasal corticosteroids: factors affecting the risks of systemic adverse effects. Pharmacol Ther. 1999;83(3):153-179

2. Bijlsma JWJ, Van Everdingen AA, Huisman M, De Nijs RNJTL, Jacobs JWG. Glucocorticoids in rheumatoid arthritis: effects on erosions and bone. Ann NY Acad Sci. 2002;966:82-90

3. Sandborn WJ. Steroid-dependent Crohn's disease. Can J Gastroenterol. 2000;14 Suppl C:17C-22C

4. Benvenuti S, Brandi ML. Corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis: pathogenesis and prevention. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2000;18(4 Suppl 20):S64-S66

5. Loke TK, Sousa AR, Corrigan CJ, Lee TH. Glucocorticoid-resistant asthma. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2002;2(2):144-150

6. Fardet L, Petersen I, Nazareth I. Monitoring of patients on long-term glucocorticoid therapy: a population-based cohort study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2015;94(15):e647. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000000647

7. Cronin JJ, McCoy S, Kennedy U, et al. A randomized trial of single-dose oral dexamethasone versus multidose prednisolone for acute exacerbations of asthma in children who attend the emergency department. Ann Emerg Med. 2016;67(5):593-601.e3. doi:10.1016/j.annemergmed.2015.08.001

Method Name

Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

Specimen Type

Urine


Ordering Guidance


 



Specimen Required


Supplies: Urine tubes, 10 mL (T068)

Container/Tube: Plastic, 10-mL urine tube

Specimen Volume: 5 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect a random urine specimen.

2. No preservative.


Specimen Minimum Volume

0.6 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Urine Frozen 14 days

Reference Values

Negative

Cutoff concentrations

Betamethasone: 0.10 mcg/dL

Budesonide: 0.20 mcg/dL

Dexamethasone: 0.10 mcg/dL

Fludrocortisone: 0.10 mcg/dL

Megestrol acetate: 0.10 mcg/dL

Methylprednisolone: 0.10 mcg/dL

Prednisolone: 0.10 mcg/dL

Prednisone: 0.10 mcg/dL

Triamcinolone acetonide: 0.10 mcg/dL

 

Values for normal patients not taking these synthetic glucocorticoids should be less than the cutoff concentration (detection limit).

Test Classification

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

80299

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
SGSU Synthetic Glucocorticoid Screen, U 46959-3

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
23562 Betamethasone 46946-0
23563 Budesonide 46947-8
23564 Dexamethasone 46948-6
23565 Fludrocortisone 46949-4
23569 Megestrol Acetate 46953-6
23570 Methylprednisolone 46954-4
23571 Prednisolone 46955-1
23572 Prednisone 46956-9
23574 Triamcinolone Acetonide 46958-5
Mayo Clinic Laboratories | Endocrinology Catalog Additional Information:

mml-adrenal-gonad-pituitary