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Cortisol is a hormone with various functions. If the body does not regulate cortisol levels properly, this can have serious health effects. An at-home cortisol test can help show when a person might need medical attention.
- Best for follow-up advice: LetsGetChecked Cortisol Test | Skip to Review
- Best lower cost cortisol test: HRT Org Cortisol Saliva Test | Skip to Review
- Best for tracking cortisol fluctuations: Verisana Diurnal Cortisol Test | Skip to Review
- Best for AM and PM testing: Rx HomeTest Cortisol AM-PM Test | Skip to Review
- Best for fast results: MyLAB Box Adrenal Stress Test | Skip to Review
A cortisol test
Several home cortisol tests are available to purchase over the counter or online. These allow a person to take a blood, urine, or saliva sample before sending it off for analysis.
After taking a home cortisol test, people can sometimes receive their results as early as within 2–5 days online or via a telephone call with a healthcare professional.
However, no studies currently investigate the reliability of these home cortisol tests. Therefore, people should follow up on their test results with a healthcare professional.
Several online retailers offer home cortisol tests. It is essential for people to follow all test instructions to ensure a valid result.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
The table below compares each of the cortisol tests for sample type, price, and more.
| Brand | Sample type | Results | Follow-up care | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LetsGetChecked | blood | 2–5 days | yes | $99 |
| Everlywell | urine | 2–5 days | yes | $199 |
| ZRT Laboratory | saliva | 5–7 business days | no | $86 |
| Verisana | saliva | around 3 weeks | no | $129.95 |
| Rx HomeTest | saliva | 5 business days | no | $119.99 |
| MyLAB Box | saliva | 2–5 days | yes | $149 |
Medical News Today chooses at-home tests that meet the following criteria:
- Laboratories: Where possible, MNT will choose companies that process test samples in
CLIA certified labs. This means they follow state and federal regulations. - Budget: MNT chooses at-home tests that suit a wide range of budgets.
- Privacy: MNT includes companies that offer robust and transparent privacy measures, such as data protection and discreet packaging.
- Test result speed: MNT selects companies that inform customers when they will receive their test results and whether they will receive them via email, app, or phone.
- Further support: MNT will indicate whether a company offers further support, such as a follow-up phone consultation with a doctor to discuss test results.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
In a clinic or hospital setting, a healthcare professional usually takes a person’s blood sample and analyzes their cortisol levels. They may also provide a saliva test kit for analyzing a person’s cortisol levels.
With home cortisol tests, a person takes a sample of their blood, urine, or saliva. There are currently no studies investigating the accuracy of these results.
However, home cortisol tests may be faster and more convenient than undergoing testing in a clinic or hospital setting.
People may consider several factors when deciding to purchase a home cortisol test, including:
- Sample type: Some tests require a blood sample, while others use urine or saliva. A person may wish to buy a product that uses a testing method they are comfortable with.
- Test analysis: A person should purchase a product from a company that sends tests to
CLIA certified labs for analysis. TheFood and Drug Administration (FDA) , Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regulate these labs to help ensure safety and accuracy. - Accuracy: The
FDA says at-home tests are cost effective and quick to use, but it states they should not replace regular contact with a doctor. TheFDA also states that all tests can give false results, and a person should follow instructions carefully and check expiration dates to have the best chance of getting accurate results. - Price: Some cortisol tests can be expensive. A person can talk with a doctor to determine whether at-home cortisol tests will be useful for them before making a purchase.
A person should not adjust medication based on at-home test results before speaking with a doctor.
The FDA does not approve every at-home test for use, and it recommends that a person check with a pharmacist or vendor to see if their chosen test is FDA approved. According to the FDA, unapproved tests have not been deemed safe or effective.
Cortisol is the stress hormone that
- nervous system
- immune system
- cardiovascular system
- respiratory system
- reproductive system
- musculoskeletal system
- integumentary system, which includes skin, hair, and nails.
The adrenal glands produce cortisol. Most human body cells have cortisol receptors, and the hormone can help in several ways, including:
- reducing inflammation
- regulating metabolism
- assisting with memory formation
- controlling blood pressure
- developing the fetus during pregnancy
- maintaining salt and water balance in the body
- controlling blood sugar levels
All these functions make cortisol a vital part of maintaining overall health. If the body can no longer regulate cortisol levels, it can lead to several health disorders, such as Cushing’s syndrome and Addison’s disease. Without treatment, these conditions could cause
The body requires certain cortisol levels during times of stress, such as:
- in the event of an injury
- during illness
- during a surgical procedure
A person should take a home cortisol test if they feel they may have a cortisol imbalance.
If cortisol levels are too high, a person may notice the following:
- rapid weight gain in the face, chest, and abdomen
- high blood pressure
- osteoporosis
- bruises and purple stretch marks
- mood swings
- muscle weakness
- an increase in thirst and need to urinate
If cortisol levels are too low, a person may experience the following symptoms:
- fatigue
- loss of appetite
- unintentional weight loss
- muscle weakness
- abdominal pain
Additionally, low cortisol levels may lead to:
A test can help individuals check their cortisol levels. If the test results show these levels are too high or too low, people should seek medical advice.
A cortisol imbalance may be a sign of an underlying condition, which can lead to serious complications without treatment.
If a person cannot carry out a home cortisol test, they should speak to a medical professional who can arrange a cortisol test at a healthcare facility.
Stress can affect a person’s cortisol levels, so people should try to rest and calm before performing a test.
Fasting is not typically necessary for a cortisol test. However, healthcare professionals may ask people to stop taking certain medications, so it is important to tell a doctor about all the medications a person is taking.
People should never stop taking medication unless a doctor asks them to.
Typically, results will show whether a person’s cortisol levels are high, low, or in a typical range.
Low cortisol levels
High levels of cortisol may indicate Cushing’s syndrome or a tumor that is increasing cortisol levels.
It is important that people contact a healthcare professional when they receive the results of an at-home test. People should not try to interpret a test’s results without a healthcare professional’s aid.
Doctors can also recommend further testing or discuss treatment options if necessary.
A person should undergo a cortisol test if they believe they may have high or low cortisol levels.
They can do this at home or speak with a medical professional who can carry out the test for them.
People may also wish to seek medical help if they show signs of too much or too little cortisol. This could indicate a potentially serious underlying health issue.
Below are answers to common questions about at-home cortisol tests.
Are at-home cortisol tests accurate?
No studies have investigated the reliability and accuracy of at-home cortisol tests. Following up on all test results with a healthcare professional is important.
Can I measure cortisol at home?
People can buy at-home cortisol tests online. These require a blood, urine, or saliva sample that a person collects at home, then sends to the company’s labs.
The company returns the test results to the person after a few days or weeks.
However, no studies have investigated the accuracy of at-home cortisol tests. A person should contact a healthcare professional once they have received their results.
How do I know if my cortisol levels are high?
A person may notice several symptoms of high cortisol levels, such as:
- rapid weight gain in the face, abdomen, and chest
- an increase in thirst and the need to urinate
- easy bruising
- purple stretch marks
- mood changes
Contact a healthcare professional as soon as possible for advice if any of these symptoms are present.
What does a cortisol test show?
A cortisol test measures the levels of cortisol in the blood. These tests screen for cortisol levels through blood, saliva, or urine samples.
The test results will show whether a person has high, low, or typical levels of cortisol in the blood.
How is a cortisol test done?
A cortisol test involves a blood, urine, or saliva sample. At-home test kits will ask people to self-collect these samples.
Laboratories will process the samples to check a person’s cortisol levels. People will receive their test results from a healthcare professional or from the company that they purchased the test from.
When should a cortisol test be done?
A person should perform a cortisol test when a healthcare professional recommends doing so, or if they notice any symptoms of high or low levels of cortisol.
Symptoms of high cortisol levels include rapid weight gain in the face, chest and abdomen, high blood pressure, mood swings, osteoporosis, bruises and purple stretch marks, mood swings, an increase in thirst and the need to urinate, and muscle weakness.
If cortisol levels are too low, a person may experience the following symptoms:
- fatigue
- loss of appetite
- unintentional weight loss
- muscle weakness
- abdominal pain
Cortisol is an important hormone that affects almost all parts of the body. It has many functions, including reducing inflammation, regulating metabolism, and controlling blood pressure.
If a person believes they have high or low cortisol levels, they may wish to take a cortisol test. Usually, these tests take place at a medical practice. However, several at-home cortisol tests are available to purchase.
A person can take these tests at home by providing a urine, blood, or saliva sample. Once a lab analyzes the test, people usually receive their results within a few days. Individuals should follow up on any test results with a healthcare professional.