About this test
About this test
Symptoms
Cortisol stimulates the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine causing the "fight or flight" physical response in humans.
Symptoms of Unbalanced Cortisol may include:
Severe fatigue
Headaches
Cognitive difficulties
Depression
Anxiety
Bone loss and weakness
High blood pressure
Decreased libido
Decreased fertility
Weight gain or weight loss
Erectile dysfunction
Irregular periods
Low blood sugar
Diarrhea, nausea or vomiting
When to test
The cortisol test checks your cortisol production levels indicating if the levels in your blood are too high or too low. If your cortisol levels are too high, you may develop Cushing syndrome (too much cortisol) or Addison's disease (too little cortisol.)
You should take the test if:
You constantly feel run down
You are body-building competitively
You are presenting with symptoms of Cushing syndrome
You have Cushing syndrome
You are presenting with symptoms of Addison's disease
You have Addison's disease
You take or have been taking testosterone
The sample must be collected in the morning, on Monday - Friday and returned on the same day.
Engaging in vigorous physical activity the day before taking this test can lead to an increase in your cortisol levels.
What's measured
Cortisol
Cortisol, known as the stress hormone, is released in response to stress or low blood glucose. Cortisol levels vary throughout the day and impact blood sugar levels, your metabolism, acts as an anti-inflammatory, and helps regulate blood pressure.
How it works
Collect your sample
Activate your test and collect your sample in the morning. Return your sample on the same day, using the prepaid shipping label provided.


Review accurate results
Once your sample arrives in the laboratory, confidential results will be available from your secure online account within 2 to 5 days.


Get medical support
Our dedicated clinical team are here to support you and may call you to explain your results and provide guidance on your next steps.


Still have questions?
Here are some questions we usually get about LetsGetChecked. If you would like yours answered, please contact us ›
Activating the test connects you to the unique alphanumeric barcode within your LetsGetChecked sample collection kit. The laboratory cannot process your sample if the test is not activated and linked to you. You should only activate your test when you are ready to take your sample.
Yes. LetsGetChecked has a team of board-certified physicians who will review your order and results and have created detailed result breakdowns for your testing journey.
Our clinical team is on standby throughout the testing process and, if your test results are abnormal, you may receive a call to discuss your results and next steps.
Please ensure that the sample is collected in the morning, on a Monday - Friday, and returned immediately using the carrier method provided within the sample collection kit. Each of our health tests includes a prepaid shipping envelope to return your samples to the laboratory.
Please do not collect or return samples on a Saturday or Sunday.
Keeping your personal data secure is important to us. We use appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure security and confidentiality of your information, and only share your information where required to deliver our products and services or where we have a legal basis to do so. All samples are disposed of following analysis.
Your samples are processed in the same labs used by primary care providers, hospitals and government programs.
LetsGetChecked laboratories are CLIA approved and CAP-accredited, which are the highest levels of accreditation.
Sample collection kits are manufactured within our ISO 13485 accredited facility, the highest level of accreditation for medical devices.
We don't accept insurance at this time. We work to keep our tests as affordable as possible and our test costs are generally lower than the costs incurred from a trip to a healthcare provider.
We accept many Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) cards. They can be used in the same way that a debit or credit card would be used at checkout.