Testing Laboratory
Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland HospitalDepartment
Chemical Pathology
Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)
OCOR
Test Code (Numeric Code)
3549
Laboratory Handling
Phlebotomy
Only samples collected at bedtime have any diagnostic value. Specimens taken at other times will not be processed , except by special arrangement with the Chemical Pathologist
Laboratory
LabPLUS Endocrinology
Sample Stability
Room temperature - if delivered within 24 hours of collection Refrigerated - up to 72 hours Frozen - if time to delivery to the laboratory is greater than 72 hours
Synonyms
Cortisol- Salivary
Turnaround Time
1 week
This test may be vetted by the laboratory. Please include relevant clinical information on the request form to ensure appropriate tests are approved. See the 'Clinical Information' section below for more information on the indications for testing.
Specimen Type
- Saliva
Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Please refer to Additional Information below
Paediatric Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Please refer to Additional Information below
Additional Specimen Information
SPECIMEN: Only samples collected at bedtime have any diagnostic value.
Specimens taken at other times will not be processed , except by special arrangement with the Chemical Pathologist.
Saliva is collected at the patient's usual bedtime, before brushing teeth or flossing.
Two acceptable methods of collection are: using a Salivette (obtainable from the laboratory). The cotton wool swab is removed from the salivette and placed in the mouth until saturated (1 to 3 min), then replaced in the salivette, and capped.
Direct spitting into a wide-mouthed container. At least 2 mL of saliva is required.
NOTE:
The time and date of collection must be noted on the request form.
After collection, the specimen can be kept at room temperature (for up to 24 hours), refrigerated (for up to 72 hours), or frozen if the time before delivery to the laboratory is likely to be longer than 72 hours.
Note:
(a) Any mixture of blood in the specimen, (e.g. from a lesion in the mouth, such as caused by flossing) will invalidate the result.
(b) The test is only valid if the patient has an established normal sleep cycle (e.g. it may be invalid in patients who have recently worked on night shift).
(c) The test may be invalid if the patient is on any form of glucocorticoid therapy (e.g. asthma inhaler).
Last updated: 28/08/2026