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.
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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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 — never a profit on the test itself; Mito makes its money on the $9 membership, not on marking up your tests. Membership is $9/mo, and you still pay the lab’s order fee. Prices are itemized before you pay, with no hidden fees.
Where do I get tested?
Choose a partner lab (Quest, Labcorp, or BioReference) at checkout. If your cart spans multiple tests, we consolidate the whole order onto a single lab so you only make one visit.
Is this eligible for HSA/FSA?
Yes. This test is HSA/FSA eligible, and you can pay with your HSA/FSA card at checkout.
When will I get my results?
Your results post to your dashboard once your lab completes them, then a clinician reviews them and your full analysis and personalized action plan (with clear next steps) follow. Turnaround varies by test: specialty assays and at-home kits take longer, and each test shows its expected turnaround before you buy.
Do I need a doctor’s order?
No. Mito provides the lab order for you, so you can book and get tested without a separate doctor visit.
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