LOINC Code 9812-9: Cortisol PM trough specimen [Mass/Vol]

What is this code?

LOINC codes identify tests, measurements, observations, survey items, and clinical questions in a standardized way. It is associated with the component Cortisol^PM trough specimen. It is commonly used with the system or sample type Ser/Plas.

When is it used?

• Used in lab systems, EHRs, and clinical data exchange.
• May identify a test, observation, survey item, or clinical document request rather than a diagnosis.
• Status: ACTIVE
• Order vs observation: Both

What it does not mean

• The code identifies the observation or test, not the actual result.

Key facts

• Cortisol [Mass/volume] in Serum or Plasma --PM trough specimen
• Cortisol^PM trough specimen
• Identifies an evening specimen when cortisol is at its lowest point in a circadian cycle -often considered to be midnight. Some laboratories will call this "12AM (midnight)" specimen, but specimens in the range of 11PM to 1AM are acceptable. The trough time may have to be adjusted for patients on different work shifts because their circadian rhythms can shift with their sleeping time.
• 12 AM; 12AM; 17-Hydroxycorticosterone; Chemistry; circadian low; Compound F; Coritsol; Cort; Evening; F; hydrocortisone; late night specimen; Level; Mass concentration; Midnight; Pl; Plasma; Plsm; PM diurnal trough; Point in time; Pre; Predose; Pre-dose; QNT; Quan; Quant; Quantitative; Random; SerP; SerPl; SerPlas; Serum; Serum or plasma; Spec; SR; UniversalLabOrders

Where you may see this code

You may see this code in lab systems, lab reports, EHR exports, interoperability feeds, or other structured clinical data exchanges.

Common synonyms

Frequently asked questions