Pathology tests database

Sample and container requirements

Saliva (salivette)

Minimum volume required

500 µL saliva

Special requirements

None

Patient preparation

Individuals should avoid eating and brushing teeth for 30 minutes before collecting saliva samples to minimise the potential for blood contamination. Saliva specimens should be collected using a Sarstedt cortisol salivette. Saliva collected into a plain container by passive drool is also acceptable.

Sample viability

Turnaround time

21 days

Reference range

Early morning range (7 – 9 a.m.): 3.2 – 22.8 nmol/L Late night range (11 p.m. – 12 a.m.): <3.2 nmol/L (Source: locally derived)

Clinical guidance

Please refer to LabTestsOnlineUK to learn more about cortisol. https://labtestsonline.org.uk/tests/cortisol-test

Notes

Salivettes for saliva collection can be ordered from the laboratory on the Queen Elizabeth Hospital site.