24-hour urinary free cortisol (UFC)

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.

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.

Images

Female urinary tract

Urine sample

Male urinary tract

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Cortisol Overview

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Cortisol Risks

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)