Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Cortisol - urine

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

24-hour urinary free cortisol (UFC)


Normal Values

Normal range: 10 - 100 micrograms per 24 hours (mcg/24h)

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Normal results may sometimes be present in someone with mild Cushing syndrome. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.


What abnormal results mean

Increased levels of urine cortisol may indicate:

  • Cushing syndrome -- pituitary-independent
  • Cushing's disease -- pituitary-dependent
  • Pseudo-Cushing's
  • Severe depression
  • Tumor that releases ACTH

Decreased levels of urine cortisol may indicate:

  • Addison's disease
  • Hypopituitarism
  • Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

The test may also be done in cases of exogenous Cushing syndrome.



Review Date: 11/23/2009
Reviewed By: Ari S. Eckman, MD, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)