Synacthen Testing

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Testing Laboratory

Waitematā | Northshore Hospital

Department

Chemical Pathology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

Please see the Additional Specimen Information

Test Code (Numeric Code)

0000

Laboratory Handling

Registration

Please see the Additional Specimen Information

Sample Stability

24 hours

Associated Tests

Synonyms

Pre Synacthen
Post Synacthen

Turnaround Time

2 hours

Specimen Type

  • Plasma
  • Serum

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred
  • Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
Preferred if Waitākere
  • SST II (Gold Cap)
Acceptable
  • Plain (Red Top)
  • SST II (Gold Cap)
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

4

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

1

No of Samples Required

1

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred
  • Heparin (Microtainer)
Acceptable
  • Plain(Microtainer)
  • SST(Microtainer)
Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

0.4

Pre-testing Requirements

Collection time is essential

Outpatient only:

NSH: No appointment is necessary. Clinician to phone ext. 42599 to liaise with phlebotomy staff, chart Synacthen, collect from OP fridge, take patient to phlebotomy rooms. Phlebotomist to take Pre sample bloods. Clinician to administer Synacthen (IM or IV), patient waits in Phleb clinic, OP nurse on-call. Phlebotomist to take Post sample bloods after 60 mins (30 min sample not required).

WTH: Referral to Medical Day Stay (appts W/Th/Fr). Take yellow referral, spare stickies and drug chart with Synacthen charted to ambulatory day stay and they will either do it straight away or organise. Waitakere prefers SST tube.

Sample 1 (If basal level is required) 4 mL blood. Heparin preferred(or SST or Plain). Request Pre Synacthen on form and state collection time. Label specimen with collection time and Pre Synacthen. Then give 250 µg Synacthen IV or IM.

Sample 2 (1 hour after administration) 4 mL blood. Heparin preferred (or SST or Plain). Request Post Synacthen on form and state time interval post dose. Label specimen with collection time and Post Synacthen. Preferably send both samples together to the laboratory.

Additional Specimen Information

Register the following codes depending on the collection type, if the collection time is specified.
Codes:
Pre Synacthen: BSYN
30 minutes Post Synacthen: HSYN
1 hr post Synacthen: PSYN

Otherwise register as MCOR

Last updated: 18/06/2026