Cortisol Test

(1 customer review)

69,00 

Cortisol is released when we are exposed to physical or mental stress and is a hormone that is produced in the adrenal glands and helps you perform better physically and mentally in the acute stress situation. In the long run, high levels of cortisol are harmful and directly dangerous to the body, but too little cortisol in the body is not good either.

Cortisol levels fluctuate during the day and thus saliva is collected several times during a day to get your complete assessment of your cortisol production. Cortisol levels should be highest in the morning when you wake up and gradually decrease during the day. With intense stress this can change with either too high or too low cortisol. This test measures bioavailable and free cortisol on seven occasions during a day.

yesAt-home test without need for a doctor’s visit

yesClinically approved test that is analyzed by an ISO 13485 certified lab

yesComprehensive result report in English

yesFast results

More than 10 in stock. We ship every day*Fast delivery

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Psst… If you buy more than 1 test, you get a discount on the entire order. If you buy 3 tests, you get up to 10% discount. The discount is deducted automatically.

How does the test work?

The cortisol test is a saliva test that you collect at home; it is collected on seven occasions during a 12-hour period. The first three tests are merged into one morning value, so in total your test result will display five values: morning, 2 hours after waking up, 5 hours after waking up, 8 hours after waking up and 12 hours after waking up. The samples are then sent to our ISO certified lab for analysis and you will receive your result answer digitally.

About cortisol

Cortisol, also called the body’s “stress hormone”, is released when we are exposed to physical or mental stress. Cortisol is produced in the adrenal glands and helps you perform better physically and mentally in situations that the body perceives as acute stress. In the long run, high levels of cortisol are harmful and dangerous to the body with effects such as high blood sugar, type-1 diabetes or high blood pressure. Too little cortisol in the body is not good either, and if the cortisol levels become really low, large amounts of sodium can be excreted via the urine, which can lead to life-threatening conditions. It is important to know if you are in the risk zone for being affected by any of the conditions. By taking GetTested’s test, you can get an indication of whether you are in need of further investigations for diseases that can cause cortisol disorders.

Symptoms of low cortisol:

  • Fatigue
  • Muscle weakness
  • Low blood pressure
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Menstrual disorders

Symptoms of high cortisol:

  • Weight gain
  • Fatigue
  • Gets easily sick
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Weakened sex drive
  • High blood pressure

The function of cortisol

Cortisol has a variety of functions in our body. In acute stress situations, cortisol secretion helps you perform better, both physically and mentally. Cortisol is also important for the movement of the intestines and controls the body’s metabolism of sugar, fat and protein. In the long run, however, high levels are harmful to the body and for a long time with high levels of cortisol, fat burning decreases and impairs insulin sensitivity, which in the long run can lead to obesity and type-2 diabetes. You can also suffer from menstrual disorders, muscle weakness and general mental illness, as well as cortisol inhibiting inflammation. With its anti-inflammatory effect, cortisol counteracts the function of the immune system, which makes us more susceptible to infections.

However, it is important to understand that your cortisol level is not always related to your stress level. Physical activity also increases cortisol secretion in the body, but unlike secretion during stress, cortisol instead reduces inflammation that occurs on the muscles. In the medical world, cortisol is best known for its anti-inflammatory and muscle-degrading effects in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, and this is then treated by adding cortisone.

Cortisol deficiency

Cortisol levels should be at the highest in the morning and lowest at night. The metabolism of fats, sugars and proteins is all controlled by the cortisol.  The amount of cortisol itself depends on what you do and how much stress you put on yourself. Stress can raise the cortisol levels, as well as being injured, having fever, infections or too high adrenaline. Cortisol also controls the immune system and reduces swelling in allergies and insect bites.

Cortisol is a vital hormone for our wellbeing. Diseases like Addison’s disease can cause life-threatening conditions and usually needs to be medicated. “Milder” conditions can still cause a huge stress on the body and mind and should not be left untreated.

Additional information

Weight 0,030 kg

Instructions

All our tests, including our saliva samples, are collected from home. Everything you need to collect the sample as well as relevant instructions will be included in your test kit.

Your sample is then sent to our lab for analysis and you will receive your answer digitally as soon as the lab has analyzed your sample.

  1. Make a purchase on the website and pay with Swish or card (Visa, AMEX or Mastercard). Easy and safe. 
  2.  A test kit is sent to the address you enter when ordering. After your order, we will send home a test kit with instructions. It also comes with a stamped envelope that is mailed to us. It is recommended to send in your sample on a Monday or Tuesday. 
  3. Carry out the test according to the instructions included in your test kit and on the web. Our Support can also answer all possible questions, before and after submissions and results. 
  4. Send the test kit to our ISO certified lab and wait for results digitally. You will normally receive an answer within 15 working days after our lab has received your sample.

Depending on which saliva test you do, you fill different numbers of tubes with saliva, so read the instructions below carefully before you start your test:

Estrogen / Progesterone: 1 tube (Collected 1 week after ovulation, normally day 19-23 of the menstrual cycle)
Cortisol: 7 tubes (Collected over a 12-hour period from morning to evening)
Testosterone: 3 tubes
Women’s / Men’s Hormone test: 2 tubes (Women: Collected 1 week after ovulation, normally day 19-23 of the menstrual cycle)
DHEA: 2 tubes
Melatonin: 1 tube (Collected on a Sunday night when it must be sent to the lab on a Monday)

Your sample is then sent to our lab for analysis and you will receive your answer digitally as soon as the lab has analyzed your sample.

If you have brushed your teeth, allow at least 30 minutes to pass before performing the test. If you bleed from the gums, avoid taking the test. Also avoid drinking, eating, sniffing, smoking or chewing gum 30 minutes before the test.

For more detailed instructions, see here under the category “Saliva test“.

1 review for Cortisol Test

  1. Karen

    Nice to finally get an answer to why I have felt so incredibly tired for a long time with such low cortisol values. Very satisfied!

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