An at-home cortisol test can help you understand and manage your cortisol levels. Learn more about the best at-home cortisol tests from LetsGetChecked, myLAB Box, and more.
Using at at-home cortisol test can be useful if you would like to test for a cortisol imbalance. A stress hormone test is another name for a cortisol test. This is because cortisol is a hormone the body produces when it responds to stress signals.
Although cortisol tests can show you how low or high your cortisol levels are on the day of your test, they cannot diagnose you with conditions such as Cushing’s disease or Addison’s disease. But, you can use the results of your cortisol test as a way to start or support conversations with a doctor about your overall health.
Read on to learn about the four best cortisol tests available to buy online and more information on cortisol, understanding test results, and more.
All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today has tested some of the products below. Reviewers may have received some products from the manufacturers for free, which does not influence their review. All opinions are the reviewers’ own.
The table below compares each cortisol test for sample type, price, and more.
| Sample type | Results | Follow-up care | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LetsGetChecked | blood | 2 to 5 days | yes | $99 |
| HRT.org | saliva | 5 to 7 business days | no | from $86 |
| Rx HomeTest | saliva | 5 to 7 business days | no | $119.99 |
| myLAB Box | blood | 2 to 5 days | yes | $149 |
Medical News Today chooses at-home tests that meet the following criteria:
- Laboratories: Where possible, MNT will choose companies that process test samples in
CLIA-certified labs. TheFood and Drug Administration (FDA) , Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regulate these labs to help ensure safety and accuracy. - Budget: MNT chooses at-home tests that suit a wide range of budgets.
- Privacy: MNT includes companies that offer robust and transparent privacy measures, such as data protection and discreet packaging.
- Test result speed: MNT selects companies that inform customers when they will receive their test results and whether they will receive them via email, app, or phone.
- Further support: MNT will indicate whether a company offers further support, such as a follow-up phone consultation with a doctor to discuss test results.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more.
A cortisol test
Several home cortisol tests are available to purchase over the counter or online. These allow you to take a blood, urine, or saliva sample before sending it off for analysis.
After taking a home cortisol test, you can sometimes receive your results within 2 to 5 days online or via a telephone call with a healthcare professional.
However, no studies currently investigate the reliability of these home cortisol tests. You could follow up on your test results with a healthcare professional.
Learn more about what a cortisol test shows.
In a clinic or hospital setting, a healthcare professional usually takes your blood sample and analyzes your cortisol levels. They may also provide a saliva test kit for analyzing your cortisol levels.
With home cortisol tests, you take a sample of your blood, urine, or saliva. There are currently no studies investigating the accuracy of these results.
However, home cortisol tests may be faster and more convenient than undergoing testing in a clinic or hospital setting.
You can consider several factors when deciding to purchase a home cortisol test, including:
- Sample type: Some tests require a blood sample, while others use urine or saliva. You may wish to buy a product that uses a testing method you are comfortable with.
- Test analysis: You should purchase a product from a company that sends tests to
CLIA-certified labs as part of the testing process. - Accuracy: The
FDA says at-home tests are cost-effective and quick to use, but it states they should not replace regular contact with a doctor. TheFDA also states that all tests can give false results, and you should follow instructions carefully and check expiration dates for the best chance of getting accurate results. - Price: Some cortisol tests can be expensive. You can talk with a doctor to determine whether at-home cortisol tests will be useful for you before purchasing.
You should not adjust medication based on at-home test results before speaking with a doctor.
The FDA does not approve every at-home test for use, and it recommends that you check with a pharmacist or vendor to see if your chosen test is FDA approved. According to the FDA, unapproved tests have not been deemed safe or effective.
Cortisol is the stress hormone that
- nervous system
- immune system
- cardiovascular system
- respiratory system
- reproductive system
- musculoskeletal system
- integumentary system, which includes skin, hair, and nails
The adrenal glands produce cortisol. Most human body cells have cortisol receptors, and the hormone can help in several ways, including:
- reducing inflammation
- regulating metabolism
- assisting with memory formation
- managing blood pressure
- developing the fetus during pregnancy
- maintaining salt and water balance in the body
- managing blood sugar levels
All these functions make cortisol a vital part of maintaining overall health. If the body can no longer regulate cortisol levels, it can lead to several health disorders, such as Cushing syndrome and Addison’s disease. Without treatment, these conditions could cause
The body requires certain cortisol levels during times of stress, such as:
- in the event of an injury
- during illness
- during a surgical procedure
Learn more about the body’s organs and systems.
Stress can affect your cortisol levels, so you should try to rest and remain calm before a test.
Fasting is not typically necessary for a cortisol test. However, healthcare professionals may ask you to stop taking certain medications, so you need to tell a doctor about all the medications you are taking.
You should not stop taking medication unless a doctor asks you to.
You should take a home cortisol test if you feel you may have a cortisol imbalance.
If cortisol levels are too high, you may notice the following:
- rapid, unintentional weight gain in the face, chest, and abdomen
- high blood pressure
- osteoporosis
- bruises and stretch marks
- sudden shifts in mood
- muscle weakness
- an increase in thirst and a need to urinate
If cortisol levels are too low, you may experience the following
- fatigue
- loss of appetite
- unintentional weight loss
- muscle weakness
- abdominal pain
- nausea
- vomiting
Low cortisol levels may also lead to:
A test can help you check your cortisol levels. If the test results show these levels are too high or too low, you could seek medical advice.
A cortisol imbalance may be a sign of an underlying condition, which can lead to serious complications if not treated.
If you cannot carry out a home cortisol test, you should speak with a healthcare professional who can arrange a cortisol test at a healthcare facility.
Learn how to lower cortisol levels naturally.
Typically, results will show whether your cortisol levels are high, low, or in a typical range.
Low cortisol levels
High levels of cortisol may indicate Cushing’s syndrome or a tumor that is increasing cortisol levels.
You must contact a healthcare professional when you receive the results of an at-home test. You should not try to interpret a test’s results without a healthcare professional’s aid.
Doctors can also recommend further testing or discuss treatment options if necessary.
You can try a cortisol test if you believe you may have high or low cortisol levels, but you should not make any health decisions based on your results before speaking with a doctor and getting further testing, if a doctor thinks it is necessary.
You can do this at home or speak with a healthcare professional who can carry out the test for them.
You may also wish to seek medical help if you show signs of too much or too little cortisol. This could indicate a potentially serious underlying health issue.
People can buy at-home cortisol tests online. These require a blood, urine, or saliva sample that a person collects at home and then sends to the company’s labs. The company returns the test results to the person after a few days or weeks.
However, no studies have investigated the accuracy of at-home cortisol tests. A person could contact a healthcare professional once they have received their results.
No studies have investigated the reliability and accuracy of at-home cortisol tests. Following up on all test results with a healthcare professional is important.
A person may notice several symptoms of high cortisol levels, such as:
- rapid, unintentional weight gain in the face, abdomen, and chest
- an increase in thirst and the need to urinate
- easy bruising
- stretch marks
- sudden shifts in mood
Contact a healthcare professional as soon as possible for advice if any of these symptoms are present.
People testing their cortisol levels at home will typically have to wait around 2 to 7 days for their test results, as a lab needs to analyze the samples.
There are no symptoms of high cortisol specific to females documented in scientific literature.
However, one 2020 study did suggest that stress may disrupt the menstrual cycle.
Other symptoms of high cortisol levels include:
- unintentional, rapid weight gain in the face, chest, and abdomen
- high blood pressure
- sudden shifts in mood
- osteoporosis
- bruises and stretch marks
- an increase in thirst and the need to urinate
- muscle weakness
However, these are not unique to females.
Test results should label cortisol in full. It is measured in micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL).
Cortisol is an important hormone that affects almost all parts of the body. It has many functions, including reducing inflammation, regulating metabolism, and managing blood pressure.
If you think you have high or low cortisol levels, you may wish to take a cortisol test. Usually, these tests take place at a medical practice. However, several at-home cortisol tests are available to purchase online.
You can take these tests at home by providing a urine, blood, or saliva sample. Once a lab analyzes the test, you usually receive your results within a few days. You should follow up on any test results with a healthcare professional.