Cortisol
The body's main stress hormone, central to evaluating adrenal and pituitary function.
Consider this test if:
- Symptoms of high cortisol: central weight gain, high blood pressure, easy bruising, or muscle weakness
- Symptoms of low cortisol: persistent fatigue, low blood pressure, weight loss, or salt craving
- Following up an abnormal cortisol result or evaluating the HPA axis alongside ACTH
- Establishing a baseline before further adrenal or pituitary workup
- HSA/FSA eligible
- Typical results in 1 day · Reviewed by a real clinician
- Drawn at a CLIA/CAP-accredited lab near you ·
Pre-test considerations
Timing is critical because cortisol follows a daily rhythm. Blood is typically drawn at 8 a.m. to capture the morning peak, and a paired 4 p.m. draw can show diurnal variation. Note the exact collection time. Recent stress, illness, pregnancy, estrogen or oral contraceptives, and steroid medications all shift cortisol, so flag them. Biotin supplements can interfere with this immunoassay.
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What this test is for
Cortisol is the primary glucocorticoid produced by the adrenal glands, regulating blood sugar, blood pressure, metabolism, and the stress response under control of the pituitary HPA axis. It follows a strong daily rhythm, peaking in the early morning and falling to its lowest point at night, so the time of the draw matters as much as the number. Persistently high cortisol points toward Cushing's syndrome and is associated with weight gain, high blood pressure, easy bruising, muscle weakness, and mood changes; persistently low cortisol points toward Addison's disease or adrenal insufficiency, linked to fatigue, low blood pressure, weight loss, and salt craving.
This is the standard total serum cortisol test, measuring hormone both bound to carrier proteins and free. The separate Free and Total version adds the unbound fraction (useful when binding proteins are altered), the AM and PM versions pin a specific time point, the saliva test captures late-night free cortisol, and the ACTH stimulation test challenges the adrenal response directly.
- Specimen
- Serum or plasma
- Measures
- Mass concentration
What you'll learn
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Insights that connect the dots. A clinician reads your whole picture, not one result in isolation, connecting family history, past results, and lifestyle into clear next steps.
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Your personalized action plan. Nutrition, supplements, and training in one clinician-reviewed protocol, updated as your results change.
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Track your trends. Upload results from any lab and see each biomarker trend over time, so you know what is working.
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Never miss a recheck. Mito tells you what is worth retesting and when, then reminds you so nothing slips.
What to expect
- 1 Book instantly
Click, book, done. Choose a convenient lab location near you. Transparent, up-front pricing.
- 2 Quick lab visit
Testing to fit your busy schedule, usually 15 minutes or less. Walk-in and appointments available.
- 3 Typical results in 1 day
Your results post straight to your dashboard as soon as the lab completes them.
- 4 Expert guidance
Included with Mito membership. A clinician reviews your results and your personalized action plan follows, with clear next steps.
Everything your health needs,
in one membership
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Every test at our cost
Members pay our cost on every test, with lab fees passed straight through. The full receipt is itemized, never padded.
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Continuous tracking, all in one place
Upload past labs and watch your trends over time. Every marker and visit lives in one longitudinal record, so all your care stays together.
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Year-round clinician support
Text anytime and get clinician-reviewed answers. When you want to go deeper, 1:1 consultations are available at affordable rates.
All for $9/month
Order any test or consult without joining. For $9/month, members unlock member prices, trend tracking, and year-round clinician guidance.
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$9 /mo
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Without membership
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Frequently asked questions
View all FAQsHow does pricing work?
Every test shows the member price next to the standard non-member price, so you can see what membership saves you. The member price is our cost, covering the lab and what it takes to run the service. It is never a profit on the test itself. Mito makes its money on the $9 membership, not on marking up your tests. Membership is $9 per month, and any applicable lab order or draw fee is itemized before you pay.
Where do I get tested?
Choose an available partner lab at checkout. If your cart contains multiple blood tests, Mito helps consolidate the eligible tests at one lab when possible. At-home kits and scans follow the collection or appointment process shown on their product page.
Is this eligible for HSA/FSA?
Yes. Eligible tests can be paid for with an HSA or FSA card at checkout.
When will I get my results?
Your results appear in your Mito dashboard after the laboratory completes processing. A clinician then reviews them before your analysis and personalized action plan are finalized. Timing varies by test, and specialty assays and at-home kits may take longer.
Do I need a physician's order?
No. Mito provides the laboratory order when one is required, so you do not need to arrange a separate physician visit before purchasing.
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