About Cortisol
Cortisol is a stress hormone that is released when we are exposed to physical or mental stress. Cortisol is produced in the adrenal glands and helps you perform better physically and mentally in situations that the body perceives as acute stress. In the distant past, stress was a natural reaction to protect yourself from predators, whereas nowadays stress takes on a different form. Today, our stress comes from a modern setting, such as stress about paying the bills.
The stress we experience in today’s society often becomes chronic stress. This means high levels of cortisol building up in the body for long periods of time. This causes high levels of cortisol which is harmful and dangerous to the body, resulting in high blood pressure and high blood sugar which can cause type-2 diabetes.
However, too little cortisol in the body is not good either. Iif the cortisol levels become really low, the urine excretes large amounts of sodium, which can lead to life-threatening conditions.
It is important to know if you are at a risk of being affected by any of these conditions. By taking GetTested’s test, you can get an indication of your cortisol levels and take adequate measures to prevent cortisol disorders. GetTested’s test is a cortisol saliva test, instead
Learn More about the Cortisol test:
Below we will go deeper into the following sections:
- The function of cortisol
- Cortisol fluctuations
- Symptoms of high cortisol
- Symptoms of low cortisol
- Cortisol blood test vs cortisol saliva test
- FAQ
- Not Sure This Test is for You?
The function of cortisol
Cortisol has a variety of functions in our body. In acute stressful situations, cortisol secretion helps you perform better, both physically and mentally. Cortisol is also important for the movement of the intestines and controls the body’s metabolism of sugar, fat and protein. With its anti-inflammatory effect, cortisol counteracts the function of the immune system, which makes us more susceptible to infections.
Your cortisol level is not always related to your stress level. Physical activity also increases cortisol secretion in the body, but unlike secretion during stress, cortisol instead reduces inflammation that occurs on the muscles. In the medical world, cortisol is best known for its anti-inflammatory and muscle-degrading effects in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, and this is then treated by adding cortisone.
Cortisol also controls the immune system and reduces swelling in allergies and insect bites. Therefore, Cortisol is a vital hormone for our wellbeing.
Cortisol fluctuations
Cortisol levels should be at the highest in the morning and lowest at night. The metabolism of fats, sugars and proteins is all controlled by the cortisol. The amount of cortisol itself depends on what you do and how much stress you put on yourself. Stress can raise the cortisol levels, as well as being injured, having fever, infections or too high adrenaline.
Symptoms of high cortisol:
In the long run, however, high levels are harmful to the body and with high levels of cortisol for a long time, fat burning decreases and impairs insulin sensitivity, which in the long run can lead to obesity and type-2 diabetes.
- Fatigue
- Low libido
- Weight gain
- Difficulty sleeping
- High blood pressure
- Poor immune function
Symptoms of low cortisol:
Low levels of cortisol can lead to menstrual disorders, muscle weakness and general mental illness, as well as cortisol inhibiting inflammation. In more rare and extreme cases, low cortisol can lead to adrenal insufficiency (also known as Addison’s disease). In such cases, the body does not make enough hormones. Diseases like Addison’s disease can cause life-threatening conditions and usually need to be medicated, but “Milder” conditions still cause a huge stress on the body and mind and should not be left untreated.
The most common symptoms of low cortisol are:
- Menstrual disorders
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Low blood pressure
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
Cortisol blood test vs cortisol saliva test
GetTested’s Cortisol Test measures your cortisol levels from your saliva instead of blood, making it a lot more convenient to use. For example, people with naturally cold hands may experience difficulty acquiring blood from pricking their finger, which makes a blood test not ideal. It is also more comfortable for people who are sensitive to blood and needles.
When it comes to measuring the levels of cortisol, a saliva test will guarantee you reliable results.
Refunds and returns
General Terms and Conditions
GetTested offers a wide range of health analyses to individuals and companies. We collaborate with a number of subcontractors of medical laboratory operations for analysis of the samples. To order our analyses, you must be at least 18 years old, people under the age of 18 need a parent’s permit. GetTested is not a substitute for traditional healthcare. In case of any problems, you should always contact healthcare. When you place your order, you accept our terms of purchase.
Test results
You will receive your test result digitally via the login you created when you registered your test. The response time varies for different analyses, information on how long the response time your analysis takes can be found on the product page. You as a customer are responsible for registering your unique test ID in order to receive your analysis answer. Your analysis answers are sent encrypted with ID verification for maximum security.
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You as a customer have a 14-day right of withdrawal. The withdrawal period begins to apply on the day you received your goods. The right of withdrawal only applies to analyses that have not been sent to the laboratory for analysis and where the test kit, including the pre-stamped envelope, has not been used. Contact hello@gettested.co.uk to exercise your right of withdrawal and further instructions. If you do not return everything in original condition, we reserve the right to deduct the amount of the refund to cover the fees for the material cost. We ask you to follow the instructions carefully. If, contrary to expectation, you need more material to perform your test, you can buy it yourself in our online store. This is because we have pushed prices to the maximum so that you as a customer will receive the best offer on the market. In the event of a right of withdrawal, we will refund you within 30 days from the day you received the item. Any shipping and return costs are borne by the customer and are not refunded. If you as a customer have used your test kit and regret your purchase after that, we will charge a cost of £15 for the test kit and £4 for shipping (a total of £21) which is deducted from the total amount we refund you, this to cover the cost of the sample material.
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Other
GetTested reserves the right to make any price changes and is not responsible for any errors that may be attributable to a laboratory used for sampling and analysis. GetTested reserves the right to make errors in the article information.
FAQ
How does the Cortisol Test work?
The Cortisol Test is a saliva test that you collect at home; it is collected on seven occasions during a 12-hour period. The first three tests are merged into one morning value, so in total your test result will display five values: morning, 2 hours after waking up, 5 hours after waking up, 8 hours after waking up and 12 hours after waking up. The samples are then sent to our ISO certified lab for analysis and you will receive your result answer digitally.
What are normal levels of cortisol?
Usually cortisol levels peak in the early morning and then decline throughout the day, reaching their lowest point around midnight.
Though it depends on the time and person, these are the average ranges:
- 6 a.m. to 8 a.m: 10 – 20 mcg/dL
- Around 4 p.m: 3 – 10 mcg/dL
How to test cortisol levels at home?
You can test your own cortisol levels at home with GetTested’s saliva test. You will collect seven samples during a 12-hour period. Check the instructions for more details on how to perform the test.
What is a 9am cortisol blood test for?
Cortisol tests are mostly performed in the mornings, when cortisol levels are at their highest point. Cortisol levels also vary throughout the day. GetTested’s test also must be performed in the morning, and multiple times throughout the day. However, our test is a saliva cortisol test, not a blood cortisol test.
How long does it take until I get my results?
You will receive your result digitally as soon as your sample has been analysed by the lab. This should take about a week.
How to lower cortisol levels?
Lowering your cortisol levels naturally, is mostly about reducing stress. Eat a healthy plant-based diet, exercise, get enough sleep, take deep breaths and engage in activities and hobbies that help you relax.
Not Sure This Test is for You?
If you’re still uncertain whether this test is right for you, don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly and knowledgeable customer support team. We’re here to guide you towards the tests that best match your health concerns and objectives. You can contact us through our contact page or use our live chat for immediate assistance.
Before you start, you need to register your test. Your test kit contains a sticker with your unique test ID. Register your test ID at 
Rinse your mouth with water. Spit and wait for a few minutes until you have saliva in your mouth again.
Open the test tube and straw.
Use the straw as a funnel to transfer your saliva into the test tube. Make sure that the tube is filled. A few bubbles in the saliva are no problem.
Put the sticker with your unique test ID on the test tube and seal.
Repeat the procedure with the other test tubes:
Store the test tubes in the fridge until you send them. Put the tests in the enclosed envelope. Send the tests to the lab the next day (preferably a Monday)
Victoria –
Good
Karen –
Nice to finally get an answer to why I have felt so incredibly tired for a long time with such low cortisol values. Very satisfied!
Raj –
In today’s fast-paced digital age, it’s rare to find a product that not only meets but exceeds expectations. From the moment I laid my hands on this product, I was intrigued. The packaging was both sleek and environmentally conscious, giving me the first impression of a brand that truly cares about its impact. Once opened, the quality of the product was immediately evident. Every detail, from the materials used to the intricate design, spoke volumes about the effort that went into its creation. 🙂 The functionality was unparalleled. Previous products I’d used from other brands always had some issue, be it durability or inefficiency, but this one broke that cycle. Every time I used it, I was met with consistent results, and the ease of use made my daily routine so much smoother. Customer service, too, deserves a mention. On the one occasion I had a query, the team was prompt, courteous, and knowledgeable. It’s clear that this brand values its customers as much as its products. In a world filled with fleeting trends, this product is a testament to timeless quality and impeccable design. I’ve already recommended it to friends and family and will continue to be a loyal customer for years to come. 🙂
David –
Nice way to track my cortisol levels. Easy and effective.
Lila –
We all seek products that seamlessly integrate into our lives, adding value without complication. This product does just that. Upon receiving it, the first thing I noticed was the weight and texture – solid, yet refined. The instructions were clear and concise, making setup a breeze, even for someone not particularly tech-savvy like myself. Using it has transformed my daily routine. No longer do I grapple with the inefficiencies I faced with past purchases from other brands. This product’s performance is consistently top-notch, eliminating previous pain points and introducing a level of convenience I hadn’t thought possible. Moreover, the after-sales service is exemplary. When I had a slight hiccup (which was more user-error than product fault), the customer support team guided me with patience and expertise. It’s evident that this company doesn’t just sell products; they offer experiences. The commitment to quality, both in product design and customer interaction, sets them apart in a saturated market. I’ve become an evangelist, often raving about my purchase to colleagues and friends. It’s not just a product; it’s a game-changer.
Sascha Kendrew –
A top-notch service, with speedy results. I’d highly recommend the cortisol test.
Eliza Mathews –
Rarely do I write reviews, but for this product, an exception had to be made. Every claim made by the brand stands true in reality. The design is intuitive, the performance stellar, and the durability seems promising. What truly won me over, though, was the company’s commitment to its customers, evident in the stellar after-sales service. Highly recommedn!!!!!!! 🙂
Roderick –
This cortisol test from GetTested was a revelation for me. I was feeling overly stressed and anxious for some time and couldn’t figure out why. I decided to try the cortisol test and found out that my cortisol levels were indeed high. This has helped me seek appropriate help and make necessary lifestyle changes. I am grateful for this service.
Rebecca –
I’ve always been a stickler for quality, often researching extensively before making a purchase. This product came highly recommended, and now I understand why. Right from the packaging to the product’s performance, every aspect screams excellence. It’s become an indispensable part of my daily routine, outperforming all its predecessors. The added bonus? A customer service team that genuinely cares. A complete win in my books.