A cortisol test is a blood test that measures the level of cortisol in your blood. It is used to diagnose or rule out conditions that cause abnormal cortisol levels, such as Cushing's syndrome or Addison's disease. Cortisol is a hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands. It is often called the "stress hormone" because it helps the body cope with stress. Cortisol levels follow a natural rhythm, rising in the morning and falling throughout the day. However, chronic stress can lead to high levels of cortisol, which can have harmful effects on the body. There are also several medical conditions that either raise or deplete your cortisol levels. Getting tested is the key to managing your blood cortisol levels.
A cortisol test may be done for a variety of reasons, including:
To diagnose or rule out Cushing's syndrome, a condition that causes high levels of cortisol
To diagnose or rule out Addison's disease, a condition that causes low levels of cortisol
To monitor the treatment of Cushing's syndrome or Addison's disease
To evaluate how well the adrenal glands and pituitary glands are working.
To evaluate how well the body is responding to stress.
The cortisol test analyses just one parameter: the blood cortisol level.
The values that are considered normal when a blood sample is acquired in the morning are
5–25 mcg/dL or 140 to 690 nmol/L.
High levels of cortisol may be a sign of Cushing's syndrome.
Low levels of cortisol may be a sign of Addison's disease.
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