Stress
What is Cortisol (serum)?
your stress hormone
- Unit
- nmol/L
- Sample
- Serum
- Fasting
- No fasting needed
- Turnaround
- 2 days
Cortisol is the body's main stress hormone. The value is highest in the morning and varies sharply through the day - the sample is therefore taken early in the morning, ideally between 7 and 9. You do not need to fast.
A single value gives a snapshot but does not capture full adrenal function. A more complete picture requires saliva cortisol across the day.
What does low Cortisol (serum) mean?
Low morning cortisol can suggest adrenal insufficiency and should be investigated.
What does high Cortisol (serum) mean?
High cortisol can reflect stress, sleep deprivation, depression, or more rarely Cushing's syndrome.
Panels that measure Cortisol (serum)
- Stress Test Base
- Performance Test Plus
- Stress Test Plus
- Performance Test Complete
- Male Hormone Test Complete
- Female Hormone Test Complete
- Stress Test Complete
- Health Check Complete
- Health Check Kvinna
More markers in the same area
Launching in Stockholm in 2026.
Want to know when you can order?
This is general information about the marker, not an assessment of your values and not medical advice. Last updated: August 2026.