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Cortisol Blood Test

 


Cortisol Blood Test

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£43.00 - £43.00
£43.00
£43.00 - £43.00
£43.00

Take this test to monitor the level of Cortisol in your blood for stress and weight monitoring.

  • Biomarkers: 1
  • Estimated turnaround: 1-2 days

Simple and accurate blood test from a laboratory you can speak to.

STEP 1 - CHOOSE YOUR SAMPLE COLLECTION OPTION

HOME KIT VIA ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 24

  • Available everywhere in mainland UK.
  • Includes everything you need to take a safe and suitable blood sample in about 15 minutes.
  • Post the sample back to our laboratory via Royal Mail Tracked 24.

FREE KIT REPLACEMENT
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About the Cortisol test

Cortisol is a hormone that affects almost every organ and tissue in your body. It helps your body respond to stress (cortisol is sometimes called the "stress hormone"). 

Apart from stress levels, Cortisol can affect body fat by increasing appetite and promoting fat storage, especially around the abdomen. High cortisol levels can lead to weight gain by stimulating fat and carbohydrate metabolism, leading to an increase in energy, but also increased appetite.

This hormone can cause the body to store fat in the abdominal area, which is associated with higher health risks. Chronic stress and consistently elevated cortisol levels can, therefore, contribute to an increase in body fat and related health issues.

1 Biomarker

  1. HORMONES

    - Cortisol

  2. UPGRADE

    Need more biomarkers? Check out our Female Hormones Blood Test or Male Hormones Blood Test

  1. TURNAROUND TIME

    We are extremely fast, with some results available within hours and others within a working day or less, from the time your sample is in our lab. However, this is not a guarantee and should not be taken as such. This is the guideline turnaround time that can be shorter or longer.


    THIS IS NOT A GUARANTEED TURNAROUND TIME.


    We are extremely proud of our very short turnaround times and a very efficient laboratory processes, you will start receiving results as soon as they are available and have completed clinical validation.


    Whilst we accommodate the shortest of time scales, with some results available within hours, for this particular test the usual turnaround time is: 1-2 working days.

DOCTOR'S COMMENTS

Hi, I am Dr. Adam Staten and here's my view on this test as a GP and Clinical Director at One Day Tests.

Cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, is crucial for regulating various body functions, including metabolism, immune response, and stress management. It helps maintain blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and control the sleep-wake cycle. The adrenal glands, located above the kidneys, release cortisol in response to signals from the pituitary gland and hypothalamus, forming the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.

Proper adrenal function is vital for overall health, as imbalances in cortisol levels can lead to conditions like Cushing's syndrome, characterized by excess cortisol, or Addison's disease, marked by insufficient cortisol production. Understanding cortisol and adrenal gland function is essential for diagnosing and managing stress-related and endocrine disorders.

Red flag symptoms for the Cortisol Blood Test

Even if your blood tests are normal, you should see a doctor if you have any of the symptoms below because they may be a sign of serious underlying illness. 

  • Progressive muscle weakness
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Progressively severe symptoms of any kind

Your Results and Health Dashboard

The results of your Cortisol Blood Test will be emailed to you as a secured PDF file, ready for your GP and will also be uploaded to our Health Dashboard area of the website. It’s a unique and powerful tool, powered by our in-house clinical analysis research, to match your biomarkers across test panels and symptoms, as well as provide clinical commentary on all individual biomarkers you tested for.

The health dashboard will also provide "panel level" commentary - a birds eye view of the biomarkers that were tested. This feature allows you to view your test results and clinical commentary, and compare them to previous results, giving you a clear understanding of how your health is progressing.

By using the Health Dashboard, you can identify changes in your biomarkers and make necessary adjustments to your lifestyle. This added value is immense, as it empowers you to monitor your health and make informed decisions about your well-being.

It's free and is available with all of our tests.

Save on continuous monitoring with our subscription plan

The best way to look after your health is to do so regularly. This is easy to do with our continual monitoring plans which give you a discount on future blood tests. You choose the frequency and we'll do the rest.

When you purchase a subscription, we will deliver your home test kits or allow you to book appointments in line with your chosen frequency. You will be able to track your biomarkers over time in our powerful Health Dashboard, where results will be automatically updated for you. There is a minimum of 3 tests with any subscription, after which you can pause/restart/cancel at any time.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Hi, I am Stefania Brown, I am the Laboratory Manager at One Day Tests and here are the lab's special requests for the Cortisol Blood Test.

  1. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR TAKING THE CORTISOL BLOOD TEST.

    The time of day you measure cortisol is important because cortisol levels naturally fluctuate throughout the day.


    They are typically highest in the early morning (around 6-8 AM) and gradually decline throughout the day, reaching their lowest point around midnight.


    This diurnal variation means that cortisol measurements taken at different times can provide different information.


    Morning tests can help assess adrenal function and diagnose conditions like Cushing's syndrome, while afternoon tests may be useful for identifying disorders such as adrenal insufficiency.


    Our laboratory provides the normal reference ranges for the following times:


    Morning sample 8am - 10am

    Afternoon sample 4pm - 8pm)

    So it is better to take your sample between 8 and 10am.


Venepuncture appointment - how to prepare

If you are coming into one of our clinics for the test, this is what you need to do before you arrive:

  • Drink plenty of water about an hour before the appointment.
  • Avoid coffee/tea/energy drinks. Water is good!
  • That’s it! We’ll do the rest.

Home test kit for Cortisol Blood Test - how it works

Our blood test kits are simple and convenient.

The most important step in doing a blood test at home is to read the instructions very carefully. The process is very simple, but there are a few pitfalls you need to be aware of - you will save yourself a lot of time if you do it right the first time around!

  • Full printed instructions will arrive with your kit - please read them carefully.
  • Drink plenty before taking the sample and warm your hands up in the sink with warm water for a few minutes. This will make your blood flow much better.
  • Fill the tubes to the top line. We don’t need much blood; filling tubes to the top line is about 15 drops of blood.
  • Post the samples on the same day you take them, before midday, Monday to Thursday. If you post it any other time it might get to us late or be stuck at a sorting office over the weekend. You will then have to do it again.
  • Package the sample in the same box the kit came in. Otherwise, Royal Mail or DPD will reject it. The sample tubes go into a pouch, then into a cardboard box, and then into a return envelope. All of this is provided in the kit: please use it.

We look forward to receiving your sample in our lab!

How the finger prick home blood test kit for Cortisol Blood Test works - from Dr. Adam Staten

Follow our step by step instructions on how to take your sample quickly and easily using the blood sample collection finger prick test.

WHY CHOOSE US?

Hello! My name is Dr. Vinesh Mistry, I am part of the GP team here at One Day Tests and here is why you should trust us to test your blood.

  1. QUICK AND ACCURATE RESULTS, DIRECT FROM A LABORATORY.

    We run our own regulated laboratories and our own accredited clinics. We manufacture our own approved home sample collection kits. Your results are looked after by our fantastic clinical governance team and our super-talented biomedical science team.


    When you book your test with us - you book directly with the lab. This means accuracy and responsible duty of care, direct access to the provider and extremely fast turnaround times.


    Finally, our customer services rock! You can ask the lab a question any time or you can speak to a real human. You can email us on hello@onedaytests.com or give us a call on 0127 309 2844.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Hi, I am Lana Nela, Lead Nurse, and here is what we are frequently asked about this test.

Why does the test have to be taken in the morning?

Like most hormones, levels of cortisol fluctuate throughout the day in a cyclical pattern. Levels are highest in the morning, so this is when we recommend that you take the test. Taking it later in the day may give the false impression of low levels.

How does cortisol affect weight gain and belly fat?

This hormone can cause the body to store fat in the abdominal area, which is associated with higher health risks. Chronic stress and consistently elevated cortisol levels can, therefore, contribute to an increase in body fat and related health issues.

WHY TAKE THE TEST?

Hi, I am Nader Eldarf, I am a Biomedical Scientist in our laboratory and here is why it's important to take this test.

  1. WHY TAKE THE CORTISOL BLOOD TEST?

    Monitoring cortisol levels can also provide insights into chronic stress and its impact on overall health.

    Elevated cortisol can lead to weight gain, high blood pressure, and other health issues.

    By understanding your cortisol levels, you can work with healthcare professionals to manage stress and maintain a healthier lifestyle.

IS THIS TEST RIGHT FOR YOU?

Hi, I am Sandeep Patel, I am the Laboratory Director at One Day Tests. Here are the symptoms that you may wish to address with this test.

  1. IS THE CORTISOL BLOOD TEST RIGHT FOR YOU?

    A cortisol blood test is essential for evaluating how your body responds to stress and identifying disorders related to the adrenal glands. Cortisol, produced by the adrenal glands, plays a key role in regulating metabolism, reducing inflammation, and controlling the body's sleep-wake cycle. Abnormal cortisol levels can indicate conditions such as Cushing's syndrome, Addison's disease, or adrenal insufficiency.

  1. SYMPTOMS AND TAGS

    Chronic fatigue, Erectile disfunction, Fatigue, Hair loss, Lack of libido, Loss of muscle bulk and Low mood

WHY ARE BLOOD TESTS IMPORTANT?

Health monitoring is very important, you are in charge of your health - look after it.