Cortisol

By 
BioReference Laboratories
Cortisol
BioReference Laboratories
Order, track, and receive results from 30+ labs in one place.
Start an Order

About the Test

Ordering the Cortisol Test with BioReference Laboratories

Cortisol is the main hormone produced during stress and the fight, flight, or freeze response. This is a protective response to a perceived danger or threat.

Cortisol is a hormone that is made by the adrenal glands, and the pituitary gland tells your adrenal glands how much cortisol to make in response to:

  • Stress (cortisol is sometimes called the "stress hormone")
  • Inflammation
  • Regulating blood sugar and metabolism (how your body uses food for energy)
  • Controlling blood pressure

In a healthy individual, cortisol levels increase and decrease at different times of the day. It's usually higher in the morning and lower at night unless a person works during late hours or has changing shifts.

Other factors can affect cortisol levels, include:

  • Exercise
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Infection
  • Injury or disease
  • Medications such as hydrocortisone, prednisone or birth control pills, obesity, pregnancy
  • Physical or emotional stress

Which Patients is the Cortisol Test with BioReference Laboratories Best Used For?

The cortisol is done to check for increased or decreased cortisol production. A physician uses a cortisol test to diagnose or monitor:

  • Addison's disease
  • Cushing's syndrome
  • Tumors affecting the production of cortisol

Other conditions for which the cortisol test may be ordered include:

  • Acute adrenal crisis
  • Sepsis
  • Low blood pressure

Symptoms That May Lead A Practitioner to Order a Cortisol Test

Symptoms of too much cortisol may include:

  • Weight gain
  • Thin arms and legs
  • Round face
  • Increased fat around the base of the neck or between the shoulder blades
  • Easy bruising
  • Wide purple streaks on the stomach, breasts, hips, and under the arms
  • Muscle weakness

Symptoms of not enough cortisol may include:

  • Long-lasting fatigue
  • Muscle weakness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Abdominal (belly) pain

About the Test

This is a single-marker test measuring cortisol. It can help you diagnose conditions such as adrenocortical insufficiency, Addison's disease, adrenocortical hypersecretion, and Cushing's syndrome.

More Resources

No items found.

Biomarkers

No items found.
Start an Order
Lab Test Information
Price
$
11
.00
 $
11.41
Sign up to View
Sample Type
Serum
Shipping Time
0 - 0 days
Turnaround Time
days
Test Preparation Starts
Number of Collection Days
1 day
Methods Used For Processing
CLIA
Lab Certifications
CLIA Certified
CAP Accredited
ISO 15189
COLA Accredited
Order, track, and receive results from 30+ labs in one place.