Cortisol

Cortisol is a hormone made by the adrenal glands. It is often referred to as the stress hormone because it helps you respond to stress. It is also important to several bodily functions. It can help your body fight infections, maintain your blood pressure and regulate your blood sugar and metabolism.

Our cortisol test is a saliva test. Saliva cortisol testing gives insight into the natural circadian daily cortisol rhythm and help us address the time that specific daily stressors are occurring. Checking cortisol can also help us to know if there are issues with the hypothalamus, pituitary or any adrenal dysfunction (HPA) that can then affect downstream hormones.

This test is taken home with specific instructions as to when you must collect saliva samples throughout the day and other important restrictions. When followed properly, this test helps us determine whether you have too much or too little of this hormone and what levels your body is at during certain times of the day.