Cortisol
$ 53.99
Cortisol Blood Test
Low-Cost Adrenal Hormone Test for Cortisol Level Screening
The Cortisol Blood Test measures the level of cortisol in the blood.
Cortisol is a hormone made by the adrenal glands. It helps the body respond to stress and plays a role in blood pressure, blood sugar, inflammation, metabolism, and energy regulation.
This test may be useful for provider-directed adrenal hormone evaluation, stress hormone screening, cortisol imbalance concerns, or follow-up to symptoms that may require adrenal testing.
✔ Measures cortisol hormone levels
✔ Useful for adrenal hormone evaluation
✔ May support provider-directed stress hormone screening
✔ Low-cost lab testing option
✔ Doctor's order included
✔ No insurance required
✔ Convenient online ordering
⏱ Typical turnaround: results are usually emailed in 1–3 days.
What Is Cortisol?
Cortisol is a steroid hormone made by the adrenal glands, which are located above the kidneys.
Cortisol is sometimes called the body's stress hormone because it helps the body respond to physical and emotional stress.
Cortisol also helps regulate blood pressure, immune response, blood sugar, inflammation, and the way the body uses fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.
What This Test Measures
This blood test measures cortisol in the blood.
- Test name: Cortisol Blood Test
- Also known as: Serum Cortisol Test, Cortisol AM Test, Stress Hormone Test, Adrenal Hormone Test
- Sample type: Blood
- Purpose: Measures cortisol hormone level
- Common use: Adrenal hormone screening and provider-directed cortisol evaluation
Why Order a Cortisol Blood Test?
A cortisol test may be ordered when a person or healthcare provider wants more information about adrenal hormone activity.
This test may be considered for:
- Adrenal hormone evaluation
- Provider-directed stress hormone testing
- Follow-up to symptoms that may involve cortisol imbalance
- Evaluation of possible high or low cortisol patterns
- Monitoring adrenal-related conditions under medical guidance
- Follow-up to abnormal ACTH or adrenal hormone results
- Customers who want low-cost direct access to lab testing without insurance
Low-Cost Adrenal Hormone Testing
This cortisol test is a simple and affordable way to access adrenal hormone testing.
If your healthcare provider requested cortisol testing, ordering directly may help reduce delays and avoid insurance billing.
Cortisol is often interpreted with symptoms, collection time, ACTH, electrolytes, glucose, medication history, and other adrenal tests when needed.
Who May Consider This Test?
- People whose healthcare provider requested cortisol testing
- People following up on adrenal hormone concerns
- People evaluating possible high or low cortisol patterns with a provider
- People with provider-directed testing for fatigue, blood pressure changes, weight changes, or stress hormone concerns
- Customers who want low-cost cortisol testing without insurance billing
Common Reasons for Testing
- Fatigue or weakness
- Unexplained weight changes
- Blood pressure concerns
- Blood sugar concerns
- Follow-up to adrenal or pituitary hormone results
- Provider-directed evaluation for possible adrenal insufficiency
- Provider-directed evaluation for possible cortisol excess
- Monitoring adrenal-related treatment under medical guidance
Important Timing Note
Cortisol levels naturally change throughout the day.
Cortisol is usually highest in the morning and lower later in the day. Because of this daily rhythm, the time of collection is very important.
If your provider requested a morning cortisol test, follow the timing instructions carefully. Many morning cortisol tests are collected between approximately 7 a.m. and 9 a.m.
Cortisol Blood Test vs Urine or Saliva Testing
Cortisol may be measured in blood, urine, or saliva depending on what the healthcare provider is evaluating.
A blood cortisol test provides a cortisol level at the time of the blood draw.
Some providers may request late-night saliva cortisol, 24-hour urine cortisol, ACTH stimulation testing, or dexamethasone suppression testing for more specific adrenal evaluation.
Medication and Supplement Warning
Certain medications and supplements may affect cortisol results.
Steroid medications such as prednisone, hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, steroid injections, inhaled steroids, topical steroids, estrogen therapy, birth control, and other medications may affect interpretation.
Do not stop or change prescribed medication unless instructed by your healthcare provider.
Important Biotin Warning
Biotin, also called vitamin B7, is commonly found in hair, skin, and nail supplements and may interfere with some hormone lab tests.
If you take biotin or high-dose supplements, ask your healthcare provider whether you should stop taking it before testing.
Important Health Warning
If you have fainting, severe weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, very low blood pressure, severe vomiting, severe abdominal pain, chest pain, trouble breathing, signs of adrenal crisis, or any urgent medical concern, seek emergency medical care immediately.
Do not use this test as a substitute for urgent medical evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment.
Screening and Lab Access Only
LabReqs and SchoolTiters provide access to lab testing. We do not diagnose adrenal insufficiency, Addison's disease, Cushing's syndrome, pituitary disease, adrenal tumors, or any medical condition.
This test may provide useful lab information, but results should be reviewed with a licensed healthcare provider, especially if symptoms are present, results are abnormal, or medication changes are being considered.
Important Limitations
- This test measures cortisol only.
- This test does not include ACTH, DHEA-S, aldosterone, renin, electrolytes, glucose, or other adrenal tests unless ordered separately.
- Cortisol levels vary by time of day, stress, illness, sleep schedule, medications, and hormone therapy.
- A single cortisol result may not provide the full picture.
- This test does not diagnose Addison's disease, Cushing's syndrome, adrenal insufficiency, or pituitary disorders by itself.
- Abnormal results may require repeat testing or specialized adrenal testing.
- Do not start, stop, or change medication based only on this result.
Before Ordering
- Confirm that you need a cortisol blood test.
- If your provider requested morning cortisol, follow the recommended collection time.
- Tell your provider about steroid medications, injections, creams, inhalers, birth control, estrogen therapy, supplements, and biotin.
- If your provider requested ACTH with cortisol, make sure ACTH is ordered separately if not included.
- If your result is abnormal, review it with a licensed healthcare provider.
How It Works
- Order online.
- Receive your lab order. A doctor's order is included.
- Visit a participating lab location.
- Provide a blood sample.
- Receive your results. Review abnormal results with a healthcare provider.
Why Choose This Cortisol Blood Test?
✅ Low-cost adrenal hormone testing option
✅ Measures cortisol stress hormone level
✅ Useful for provider-directed adrenal evaluation
✅ No insurance required
✅ Doctor's order included
✅ Convenient online ordering
✅ Results can be shared with your healthcare provider
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Cortisol Blood Test measure?
This test measures cortisol, a hormone made by the adrenal glands.
Why is cortisol called the stress hormone?
Cortisol helps the body respond to stress, but it also plays important roles in blood pressure, blood sugar, metabolism, and inflammation.
When should cortisol be tested?
Timing depends on your provider's reason for testing. Morning cortisol is commonly collected early in the day because cortisol levels are usually highest in the morning.
Can this test diagnose adrenal disease?
No. This test provides cortisol information only. Diagnosis requires provider evaluation and may require additional testing.
Should I order ACTH with cortisol?
ACTH is often reviewed with cortisol in some adrenal evaluations. Ask your healthcare provider whether ACTH or other adrenal tests are needed.
Can steroid medication affect cortisol results?
Yes. Steroid pills, injections, inhalers, creams, and other hormone medications may affect cortisol results. Do not stop medication unless instructed by your provider.
Do I need to fast?
Fasting is usually not required unless your healthcare provider or lab instructions tell you otherwise. Follow any timing instructions on your lab order.
Is a doctor's order included?
Yes. A doctor's order is included with this lab test.
Order Your Cortisol Blood Test
Use this low-cost test when you need convenient access to cortisol hormone testing for adrenal, stress hormone, or provider-directed endocrine evaluation.
Order your Cortisol Blood Test today.
Cortisol
$ 53.99
