Cortisol Stress Blood Test

Why take this test?

If you are feeling constantly tired, experiencing mood changes, poor sleep or frequent illness, then your body could be under too much stress – it would be worth finding out more about your stress levels. Our Cortisol Blood test will identify if you have abnormal Cortisol levels which could be contributing to your symptoms.

What is cortisol?

Cortisol is a natural hormone. It’s your body’s main stress hormone which is made by your adrenal glands – organs at the top of your kidneys.
Having the right balance of cortisol is essential for your health and wellbeing.

An abnormal cortisol level might indicate the presence of an adrenal gland disorder or other underlying health problems, which are harmful if left untreated.

Too much cortisol can cause “Crushing syndrome”, symptoms of rapid weight gain, easily bruised skin, muscle weakness, diabetes and much more.
Too Little Cortisol can cause “Addisons disease”, which leads to changes of your skin, tiredness, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, low blood pressure and much more.

How does the test work?

The simple blood test checks whether your cortisol levels are within the normal range.
The normal range for Cortisol is 160 – 600 nmol/L.

How to prepare:

** Take your test around 9am in the morning *** This is when your Cortisol level will be at your nocturnal peak.

• Avoid exercise before you take your test – Physical exercise temporarily increases the levels of cortisol in your blood.
• Biotin supplements can affect results. Do not take them for two days before the test. Discuss this with your doctor if you have prescribed biotin supplements.
• Hormonal contraception can affect the results, so it’s recommended you take a break and use an alternative barrier contraception to get more accurate results. Speak to your GP if you want more information.