: 6-Beta-Hydroxycortisol, 24-Hour Urine
: This test measures the amount of 6-beta-hydroxycortisol, a cortisol breakdown product, in a urine sample collected over 24 hours. It is used to help assess how the body processes certain medications and to investigate specific hormone-related conditions.
[": A 24-hour urine 6-beta-hydroxycortisol measurement helps show how your body metabolizes cortisol and certain drugs."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 95580-7
- Short code
- 6B-OH-Cortisol 24h Z-score Ur
- Synonyms
- 6B-OH-Cortisol 24h Z-score Ur
- Category
- hormone
- Sample
- urine
- Container
- Sterile urine container
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 6.2
- Ref high
- 19.4
- Critical range
- 3 N/A – 50 N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- CPT
- 82533
- SNOMED
- 34350002
- Specimen volume
- 10 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 2h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 0
- Lipemia max
- 0
- Icterus max
- 0
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
: What Is Being Tested
: 6-Beta-Hydroxycortisol is a metabolite formed when the body breaks down cortisol, a hormone made by the adrenal glands. This test measures how much of this metabolite is present in urine collected over a full 24-hour period.
: How the Test Is Collected
: Because levels naturally rise and fall throughout the day, a single urine sample is not enough. Instead, you collect all urine produced over 24 hours in a special container. Your care team gives you specific instructions on timing and storage to ensure an accurate result.
: What the Results Can Indicate
: Changes in 6-beta-hydroxycortisol levels may reflect altered cortisol metabolism or interactions with certain medicines that affect how the body processes cortisol. Results are interpreted by your clinician alongside your history, medications, and other tests.
: Important Limitations
: This is not a routine screening test, and a single result rarely provides a diagnosis on its own. Collection errors, certain medications, and kidney or liver conditions can affect the measurement, so results must be interpreted carefully.
Reference range
Morning: 6.2-19.4 μg/dLN/A
Typically collected in the morning (8-10 AM). Inform your provider if taking steroid medications.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
: Measurement of 6-beta-hydroxycortisol in 24-hour urine is sometimes used in clinical settings to assess cortisol metabolism and to evaluate enzyme activity relevant to drug handling. It is generally a specialized test rather than a first-line diagnostic tool, and interpretation depends on the clinical context.
Short name
: 6-Beta-Hydroxycortisol
Frequently asked questions
: Why is a 24-hour collection needed?
: Do I need to stop any medications before this test?
: Does an abnormal result mean I have a disease?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy