Yashoda Hospitals > Diagnostics > Cortisol Test

What is the Cortisol Test?

A cortisol test may help diagnose Cushing syndrome and Addison disease. The test looks for pituitary and adrenal gland disorders. It does so by monitoring the stress hormone cortisol in your blood.

The adrenal glands create cortisol which is a steroid hormone that helps in stress response, blood sugar regulation, and infection resistance. In the morning, cortisol levels are typically highest, and at night they are lowest. When you’re nervous or stressed, your body produces too much cortisol, which can harm your health if it stays too high for too long, and a high or low cortisol level may indicate a medical condition.

What is the Cortisol Test used for?

The cortisol level test determines if cortisol production is too high or excessively low. Addison’s and Cushing’s illness affects the quantity of cortisol produced by your adrenal glands, and this test identifies many disorders and analyses the adrenal and pituitary glands’ function, including:

  • Stress responses
  • Immune system
  • Nervous system
  • Circulatory system
  • Skeletal system
  • Protein, fat, and carbohydrate breakdown

Understanding the test results of the Cortisol Test

Cortisol levels too high or too low may indicate Cushing’s syndrome or another adrenal condition. If your cortisol levels are abnormal, this does not always indicate that you have a medical condition that requires treatment. Additional factors like infection, stress, and pregnancy may influence your results. Contraceptives and other medications might potentially affect your cortisol levels.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    A cortisol test helps diagnose adrenal gland problems, including Cushing's syndrome, in which your body produces too much cortisol, and Addison disease, which produces insufficient cortisol.

    Cushing's syndrome symptoms include:

    • Obesity, particularly around the torso
    • Hypertension
    • High blood sugar
    • On the stomach, purple streaks
    • Bruised skin
    • Weakness of muscle
    • Women may have irregular menstrual periods and facial hair growth

    A cortisol test is usually a blood test when drawing the blood from a vein in your arm by a skilled health care provider during the test. After the needle insertion, collect a small amount of blood in a test tube or vial. When inserted or removed the needle, you may feel a stinging sensation in your skin, but don’t worry, there won’t be any side effects of it.

     

    Test results indicate the amount of cortisol in the blood. The normal range varies according to the test type. Normal ranges for most tests:

    • 10-20 mcg/dL between 6 and 8 a.m.
    • Around 4:00 pm: 3 to 10 mcg/dL

    Cortisol imbalances are often the result of long-term steroids (glucocorticoids), such as those used to treat asthma, autoimmune illnesses, or inflammation.

    Make sure you follow your doctor's directions. You may need to take a rest before the test if you're feeling anxious.

    Certain medications affect cortisol levels. Your doctor may suggest that you avoid taking certain medicines before the test. Cortisol levels are sometimes elevated by: 

    • Estrogen-containing medications
    • Glucocorticoids synthesized in the laboratory, such as prednisone
    • Pregnancy

    Cortisol levels often rise about 7 a.m. during the early morning hours. In the evening and the early stages of sleep, they drop to extremely low levels. Even though cortisol levels fluctuate throughout the day, they are usually at their highest in the mornings. Doctors usually advise taking the test in the morning. A cortisol test does not need fasting.

    The adrenal glands produce cortisol. It increases at times of increased anxiety or stress and decreases when you are relaxing. When cortisol levels rise, the body spends all of its energy dealing with the stressor rather than managing other biological processes such as digestion and immunity. Hence, you should try staying calm during stressful situations.

    Anti-anxiety medications do reduce cortisol levels, and meditation alleviates stress and anxiety, improves mood, and even treats physical ailments such as headaches. All of these may be beneficial if you suffer from depression and this stress-relieving method works by focusing on the present. However, it also lowers blood cortisol levels, which has biological benefits.

    • Drink tea

    Several teas contain anti-cortisol properties. Green tea suppresses cortisol synthesis.

    • Consume extra virgin olive oil

    Olive oil provides many health advantages, most notably its potent anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, it includes a compound called oleuropein, which lowers cortisol levels.

    • Consume dark chocolate

    Antioxidants, such as flavonols and polyphenols, are present in dark chocolate and protect against oxidative stress.

     

    Book an appointment with Yashoda Hospitals to get a free second opinion, right now.