Morning Cortisol — Stress Axis Marker — 60-Second Protocol

The protocol

Units	µg/dL
Standard range	5–25 (8 a.m. sample; ranges vary by lab)
above the range	has several possible causes; the most common cause of abnormal cortisol is long-term steroid medicine use or stopping it suddenly; stress and exercise can also raise cortisol
below the range	has several possible causes; more tests are needed to find which
any out-of-range result	does not always mean a condition that needs treatment; a cortisol test alone cannot diagnose the cause
Clinician	an abnormal result is usually followed by more tests; review it with a clinician
Medicines	tell your provider about every medicine you use, including skin creams
Preparation	rest before the test — stress and exercise can raise cortisol; follow the draw time your provider gives

Full transcript

Cortisol changes through the day, so the result only means something against the time it was drawn. An eight a.m. sample reads against about five to twenty-five micrograms per decilitre, and ranges vary by lab. Stress and exercise raise it, so rest before the draw. Out of range does not always mean a condition — review it with a clinician. agegen.ai. Generate your prime age! ~~ Mr. Age

Sources

• https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/cortisol-test/
• https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003693.htm
• https://medlineplus.gov/adrenalglanddisorders.html

Educational content, not medical advice. Talk to a licensed clinician before changing how you treat a health condition.