Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Abnormal cortisol levels can lead to health conditions. Cortisol impacts: effective metabolism of glucose blood pressure inflammation reduction your response to dangers

How can I lower my cortisol levels?

Lifestyle changes can help to control cortisol. Diet, exercise and stress-relieving exercises can all help to keep stress and cortisol levels down. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Programmes can help to improve the way the body deals with stress. Exercises such as yoga, Pilates and meditation may be beneficial, too. If you can try to take yourself away from the situation which is causing you stress.

What are good cortisol levels?

The normal range for Cortisol is 160 – 600 nmol/L.

What causes high levels of cortisol?

Cortisol is known as the “stress hormone”. When we experience stress, our body will produce more cortisol in response. High training load in athletes can also increase cortisol levels in response to the stress the training is putting on your body.

How soon will the test arrive?

If you order your test before midday on a Monday to Friday then your kit will be dispatched the same day. All our kits are sent out via Royal Mail first class post, so it should be with you within 1-2 working days.

How secure is my data?

We have strict processes in place to ensure the protection of your data. Following GDPR the company also operates under tight legal rules about the sharing of data which ensures that data is only shared if it is crucial to the delivery of our service. For example, our doctors see customer results at the time of review, however, after review, access to results is withdrawn.

Can I have someone take my blood for me?

Yes. We offer two options if you do not want to do our finger prick test. The first is a home appointment where a nurse comes to your home to take a blood sample. The second is to visit a Phlebotomy clinic near you that offers a blood sample service. A blood sample will be taken from your vein and we will provide you with everything you need to give to the nurse to allow them to take the sample. The nurse will give you the blood sample to return to us using the pre-paid envelope provided.

Does a doctor review my results?

We have a team of doctors and nurses who look at all results and will comment on any results that are outside of the normal range for your age. If your levels are low or you need further advice, you should consult a medical professional.

Can I download the results to share with my GP?

Yes, you can download your results from your health dashboard as a PDF to share with your GP.

Get a £5 voucher for you or to pass on when you order this test today.

Cortisol Blood Test

If you are feeling constantly tired, experiencing mood changes, poor sleep or frequent illness then your body could be under too much stress. Our cortisol blood test will identify if you have high levels which could be contributing to your symptoms.

£40

+ £5 Voucher when you order today

When do I take the test?

Your cortisol levels should be at their highest level first thing in the morning and gradually reduce throughout the day. So, the cortisol test is best taken before 10 am or, if you work shifts, or are a very early riser, within 3 hours of waking.

Certified for quality & security

Did you know?

74% of people feel so stressed they have been overwhelmed or unable to cope

Mental Health UK: Stress and how to cope with it

What is a cortisol test?

Our cortisol blood test checks if the levels of cortisol in your blood are too high or low. High levels of cortisol can be an indicator of stress, over-exercising, obesity and pregnancy. But in some rare cases it can be an indicator of something more serious, such as Cushing syndrome and Addison’s disease.

Checking your stress levels via a cortisol test can help identify why you’re feeling tired, aren’t sleeping well or are having mood changes.

How to test cortisol levels at home

Your cortisol levels rise and fall throughout the day, but are highest in the morning, when you wake up, so it’s best to collect your blood sample before 10am or within 3 hours of waking up. Our cortisol blood test kit has everything you need to collect a blood sample at home, including free return postage to our labs. Our doctors will review your results to provide feedback on your levels and advice on how to improve them.

What are the symptoms of high cortisol levels?

Consistently high cortisol levels can be bad for your health. Symptoms of high cortisol include:

Weight gain
Muscle weakness
Skin changes
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Irregular or absent menstrual periods
Increased thirst and urination
Fatigue
Changes in mood
Sleep disturbances
Cognitive difficulties
Decreased libido

Frequently asked questions

This is what our customers ask us most about this test. For more information, try our help centre.

What is cortisol?
Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Abnormal cortisol levels can lead to health conditions.

Cortisol impacts:
- effective metabolism of glucose
- blood pressure
- inflammation reduction
- your response to dangers
How can I lower my cortisol levels?

Lifestyle changes can help to control cortisol. Diet, exercise and stress-relieving exercises can all help to keep stress and cortisol levels down.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Programmes can help to improve the way the body deals with stress. Exercises such as yoga, Pilates and meditation may be beneficial, too. If you can try to take yourself away from the situation which is causing you stress.
What are good cortisol levels?

The normal range for Cortisol is 160 – 600 nmol/L.
What causes high levels of cortisol?

Cortisol is known as the “stress hormone”. When we experience stress, our body will produce more cortisol in response.

High training load in athletes can also increase cortisol levels in response to the stress the training is putting on your body.
How soon will the test arrive?

If you order your test before midday on a Monday to Friday then your kit will be dispatched the same day. All our kits are sent out via Royal Mail first class post, so it should be with you within 1-2 working days.
How secure is my data?

We have strict processes in place to ensure the protection of your data. Following GDPR the company also operates under tight legal rules about the sharing of data which ensures that data is only shared if it is crucial to the delivery of our service. For example, our doctors see customer results at the time of review, however, after review, access to results is withdrawn.

Learn more about your data security.

Can I have someone take my blood for me?

Yes. We offer two options if you do not want to do our finger prick test. The first is a home appointment where a nurse comes to your home to take a blood sample. The second is to visit a Phlebotomy clinic near you that offers a blood sample service.

A blood sample will be taken from your vein and we will provide you with everything you need to give to the nurse to allow them to take the sample.

The nurse will give you the blood sample to return to us using the pre-paid envelope provided.
Does a doctor review my results?

We have a team of doctors and nurses who look at all results and will comment on any results that are outside of the normal range for your age.

If your levels are low or you need further advice, you should consult a medical professional.
Can I download the results to share with my GP?

Yes, you can download your results from your health dashboard as a PDF to share with your GP.

Learn how to export your results.

We are dedicated to supporting you on improving your health

Recommended by doctors

Dr Thom Phillips

Clinical Lead

BSc. (Hons) MSc. MB BCh. MRCGP. Dip SEM. PGCert (Diabetes)

Renee McGregor

Nutrition Lead

BSc (hons) PGDIP (DIET) PGCERT(sportsnutr) RD BASES

Dr Michael Cornes

Scientific Officer

Consultant clinical scientist, FRCPath, BSc Biochemistry, MSc Clinical Biochemistry, PhD Biochemistry

"Everyone's life has got unbelievably busy, a cortisol blood test offers insights into stress levels. It also guides stress management, optimising overall health and well-being. It's a vital tool for proactively managing stress levels, and assessing your sleep and recovery."

Dr Thom Phillips

We’re changing people’s lives

Easy to do and quick result.

Mary

23 April 2023

Great customer Service. Results clear and understandable. Will use again when needed.

Margaret

12 July 2023

I wanted to get more information about my own health instead of using the NHS who just test for a specific reason. I also wanted better historical data to view changes over time as the NHS systems aren’t very good for that.

James W

Finding out what is going on inside your body is key, especially now that the NHS is in crisis. If we can take control of our wellness (and flag up potential problems early) that has got to be a good thing.

Vannesa C

I am very satisfied with your excellent service and I have recommended you to all my friends who are also very interested in your products.

Doris R

How it works

Getting the insights you need to improve your health has never been easier.

1. Choose your blood test

No need to wait for a GP appointment, choose from our wide range of tests which come with everything you need to take your sample and return to our lab.

2. Collect your sample

Take your finger prick blood sample at home, or choose to have your blood taken at a Superdrug health clinic or a nurse at home. Return to our NHS lab using our prepaid envelope.