Skip to content
Missed Black Friday? Check out our HUGE offers for Christmas!
Missed Black Friday? Check out our HUGE offers for Christmas!

Cortisol - description and reference ranges

What is it?

Cortisol is a steroid hormone which is manufactured by the adrenal gland.

Cortisol helps to break down fat and proteins. It also stimulates production of glucose in the liver.

It is a hormone that is directly secreted in response to physical or emotional stress, changes in blood pressure, disease and inflammation, as well as cardio functions. Swings in cortisol production can show various symptoms, which can include low blood pressure, weight loss, muscle weakness and fatigue. More severe symptoms can include abdominal pain and very severe stress can cause huge releases of cortisol which will require medical attention.

Reference ranges

If your indicative cortisol concentration is lower than the reference range for our laboratory:

An underactive pituitary gland or a pituitary gland disease can lead to lower levels of ACTH. ACTH stimulates cortisol production. Or it may mean direct problem with adrenal glands that affect cortisol production.

You can discuss this result with your GP.

If your indicative cortisol is higher than the reference range for our laboratory:

Generally it is important to give the blood sample when you are not stressed as cortisol is our primary stress hormone. So high levels may mean that you were stressed when doing the sample.

If this is not the case, then it may point to several issues, such as pituitary gland issues or adreanal gland disease. High levels of cortisol may be present in the body due to medication such as contraceptive pills or steroid medicines.

You can discuss this result with your GP.

Quick test finder

Quick test finder

Find what you need in under 30 seconds with our (very clever!) test finder. We offer a huge range of markers all a few clicks away, as well as fastest turnaround times.

Find your test

You might also like to read

  • The PSA Blood Test and Prostate Cancer Screening
    Adam Staten

    The PSA Blood Test and Prostate Cancer Screening

    In the UK, we screen for many different conditions. This starts before we are even born when foetuses are screened for conditions such as Down’s syndrome then, in the new born period, babies are screened for metabolic diseases and hearing problems, school children are screened for colour blindness, and in adulthood we are screened for breast cancer, cervical cancer, and bowel cancer. But we don’t screen for prostate cancer despite the existence of a simple blood test that can alert us to the possibility of the disease.

    Why not?

    Read now
  • Dr Mike Forsythe on Vitamin B12
    Dr Mike Forsythe

    Dr Mike Forsythe on Vitamin B12

    Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is a unique nutrient, as it’s the only vitamin we require that must be sourced externally from animal-derived foods or supplements. So how do we know if we are getting enough of it? What...

    Read now