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Essential4Health

Get Healthy ~ Stay Healthy

Essential4Health

Get Healthy ~ Stay Healthy

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Cortisol Blood

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COB

Description

"Cortisol Blood" test measures cortisol levels in your blood, assessing adrenal function and your body’s stress response. A morning sample is typically taken, since cortisol follows a daily rhythm. The results help diagnose conditions such as Cushing’s syndrome, Addison’s disease, or adrenal abnormalities. High cortisol may suggest stress, adrenal tumors, or Cushing’s, while low levels can point to Addison’s or pituitary problems. This test supports evaluation of symptoms like fatigue, weight changes, or unexplained high blood pressure.

"Cortisol Blood" test measures cortisol levels in your blood, assessing adrenal function and your body’s stress response. A morning sample is typically taken, since cortisol follows a daily rhythm. The results help diagnose conditions such as Cushing’s syndrome, Addison’s disease, or adrenal abnormalities. High cortisol may suggest stress, adrenal tumors, or Cushing’s, while low levels can point to Addison’s or pituitary problems. This test supports evaluation of symptoms like fatigue, weight changes, or unexplained high blood pressure.

Category

Hormones

Procedure

Invasive

Sample Type

Blood – Serum

Units

Micrograms Per Deciliter | Nanomoles Per Liter

Procedure Category

Blood Draw

Test Group

Hormone Health Group, Complete Adrenal Group, Adrenal Stress Group, Sleep Function Group

Test Group Description

Adrenal Stress Group: Tests in this group evaluate adrenal gland function, specifically stress hormones like cortisol, for a comprehensive understanding of adrenal health. Complete Adrenal Group: Essential tests for a comprehensive evaluation of adrenal gland function, aiding in the diagnosis and management of adrenal disorders. Hormone Health Group: Its focus is on evaluating hormone levels and function, providing insights into hormonal balance and associated health conditions. Sleep Function Group: This group of tests evaluates sleep quality and function, providing insights into sleep architecture and potential disruptions for comprehensive sleep health assessment.

Optimal Range

For All Individuals:

  • Conventional Unit: Morning (AM): 10.00–15.00 mcg/dL | Afternoon (PM): 4.00–10.00 mcg/dL

  • SI Unit: Morning (AM): 276–414 nmol/L | Afternoon (PM): 110–276 nmol/L

Normal Range

For All Individuals:

  • Conventional Unit: Morning (AM): 4.00–22.00 mcg/dL | Afternoon (PM): 3.00–17.00 mcg/dL

  • SI Unit: Morning (AM): 110–607 nmol/L | Afternoon (PM): 83–469 nmol/L

Results That Differ From The Norm (Direct and Indirect Causes)

Increased levels may indicate:


  • Adrenal gland tumor (abnormal growth in the adrenal glands)

  • Carcinoma (cancerous growth)

  • Cushing's syndrome (excess cortisol production)

  • Ectopic Cushing syndrome (abnormal production of cortisol outside the adrenal glands)

  • Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland)

  • Obesity

  • ...

Key Reasons For Testing

  • Adrenal Function: Evaluates adrenal health to diagnose conditions like Addison’s disease or Cushing’s syndrome.

  • Endocrine Disorders: Detects issues such as adrenal insufficiency or hypercortisolism for diagnosis and treatment planning.

  • Stress Response: Tracks cortisol levels to understand how your body manages stress.

  • Steroid Therapy Monitoring: Ensures safe and effective dosing of steroids during treatmen...

Health Status Conditions It May Be Used To Assess

Currently, this test is not directly associated with any conditions listed on the Health Status page. However, it may be included as part of a broader set of tests linked to specific health conditions.

Some Prominent Medical Labs That May Offer This Test

Please note that this particular test has not been associated with any of the listed prominent medical labs. We recommend enquiring with your private physician or nearest hospital to determine where this specific test can be performed.

References

Important Note

Any medical procedure yielding results outside the norm may be directly or indirectly linked to the conditions outlined on this page. Various factors, including genetics, medication and supplement usage, recent illnesses, pregnancy, pre-test eating, smoking, and stress, can impact the test's outcome. Additionally, factors like false positives, false negatives, inaccurate analyses, and others can influence results.


Reference ranges, which help healthcare professionals interpret medical tests, may vary depending on age, gender, and other factors. They may also differ between laboratories due to variations in instruments and methods used. Optimal ranges are designed for preventive purposes, aiming to identify trends and potential risks early, while normal ranges reflect conventional laboratory values indicating no current disease or pathology. Your healthcare practitioner may have specific reasons for testing that deviate from the usual or may interpret results differently based on individual circumstances. Proper interpretation typically involves considering clinical findings and other diagnostic tests. Hence, it is crucial to provide your healthcare professionals with a comprehensive medical history, consult with them for result interpretation, and follow their guidance for potential re-testing or additional diagnostics.

Disclaimer

This content is provided solely for informative and educational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. Regarding the interpretation of their medical test results and/or specific health questions, it is recommended that all readers and viewers consult their physicians or other qualified health professionals. The publisher is not responsible for any adverse health effects that may result from reading or following the information in this educational content. Before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program, all viewers, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physician or health care practitioner.


Please note that while prominent lab names are included in this content, we cannot guarantee that these labs offer all the tests mentioned. For confirmation, individuals should contact the labs directly or consult their medical practitioners. The information provided reflects general knowledge at the time of publication and may not include recent updates or emerging research. Readers should verify details with qualified professionals to ensure the most up-to-date and accurate guidance.

[1] Chernecky CC, Berger BJ. Cortisol - plasma or serum. In: Chernecky CC, Berger BJ, eds. Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures. 6th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:388-389.
[2] Stewart PM, Newell-Price JDC. The adrenal cortex. In: Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR, Kronenberg HM, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016,15.
[3] El-Farhan N, Rees DA, Evans C. Measuring cortisol in serum, urine and saliva—are our assays good enough? Ann Clin Biochem. 2017;54(3):308-322.
[4] Raff H, Findling JW. A physiologic approach to diagnosis of the Cushing syndrome. Ann Intern Med.2003;138(12):980-991.
[5] Nieman LK, Biller BM, Findling JW, et al. The diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome: an Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008;93(5):1526-1540.
[6] Gozansky WS, Lynn JS, Laudenslager ML, Kohrt WM. Salivary cortisol determined by enzyme immunoassay is preferable to serum cortisol for assessment of dynamic hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2005;63(3):336-341.
[7] Debono M, Ghobadi C, Rostami-Hodjegan A, et al. Modified-release hydrocortisone to provide circadian cortisol profiles. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2009;94(5):1548-1554.
[8] Wood PJ. Salivary cortisol as a biomarker in psychoneuroendocrinology studies. J Neuroendocrinol. 2009;21(8):758-762.
[9] Bornstein SR, Allolio B, Arlt W, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of primary adrenal insufficiency: an Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016;101(2):364-389.
[10] Kirschbaum C, Hellhammer DH. Salivary cortisol in psychobiological research: an overview. Neuropsychobiology.1989;22(3):150-169.
[11] Carroll T, Raff H, Findling JW. Late-night salivary cortisol for the diagnosis of Cushing syndrome: a meta-analysis. Endocr Pract. 2009;15(4):335-342.
[12] Wester VL, van Rossum EF. Clinical applications of cortisol measurements in hair. Eur J Endocrinol. 2015;173(4).
[13] Kudielka BM, Wüst S. Human models in acute and chronic stress: assessment of endocrine and immune stress responses in laboratory settings. Stress. 2010;13(2):1-14.

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