Salivary Cortisol

By

Genova Diagnostics

About the Test

Cortisol is a hormone that is made by the adrenal glands, and the pituitary gland tells your adrenal glands how much cortisol to make in response to:

  • Stress (cortisol is sometimes called the "stress hormone")
  • Inflammation
  • Regulating blood sugar and metabolism (how your body uses food for energy)
  • Controlling blood pressure

In a healthy individual, cortisol levels increase and decrease at different times of the day. It's usually higher in the morning and lower at night unless a person works during late hours or has changing shifts.

Factors that can affect cortisol levels:

  • Exercise
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Infection
  • Injury or disease
  • Medications such as hydrocortisone, prednisone or birth control pills, obesity, pregnancy
  • Physical or emotional stress

Which Patients is the Salivary Cortisol Test with Genova Diagnostics Used For?

This test is often used as a follow up to the Adrenocortex Stress Profile.

Symptoms That May Lead A Practitioner to Order a Salivary Cortisol Test Include:

Symptoms of too much cortisol may include:

  • Weight gain
  • Thin arms and legs
  • Round face
  • Increased fat around the base of the neck or between the shoulder blades
  • Easy bruising
  • Wide purple streaks on the stomach, breasts, hips, and under the arms
  • Muscle weakness

Symptoms of not enough cortisol may include:

  • Long-lasting fatigue
  • Muscle weakness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Abdominal (belly) pain

About the Test

This is a single-marker test measuring cortisol. It is often used as a follow up to the Adrenocortex Stress Profile.

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Biomarkers

  1. Cortisol Morning

More Resources

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Lab Test Information

Price: $69.00
Lab Company: Genova Diagnostics
Sample Type: Saliva
Category: Adrenal & Stress
Shipping Time: 5 - 10 days, FedEx
Turnaround Time: 21 days
Test Preparation Starts: Up to 1 hours before collection
Number of Collection Days: 1 day
Methods Used For Processing: EIA
Lab Certifications: CLIA Certified, CAP Accredited, ISO 15189, COLA Accredited

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