Cortisol Test Price, Purpose, Timing & Results [2024]
What is a serum cortisol test?
The cortisol test measures the amount of cortisol in your blood (serum), urine, or saliva. The adrenal glands in your body produce cortisol which is a steroid hormone. It is also called a stress hormone since it is usually associated with a fight and flight response to fear and stress. Cortisol test price usually ranges from Rs 400 to Rs 750 in India.
The cortisol levels are usually high in the morning and gradually decrease as the day progresses. It is the lowest at midnight (see graph). Therefore, test timing is essential, and doctors often prescribe the time for the test- Morning, Evening or both.
Whenever your body/ brain perceives a threat or stress, the brain releases adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). It triggers the release of cortisol by the adrenal gland. Thus, an abnormal cortisol level may indicate a problem with the adrenal gland, pituitary gland, or a tumor.
Cortisol Test details in brief
| Also known as | Serum cortisol, blood cortisol, cortisol Morning, Cortisol Evening |
| Purpose | Disorders of the adrenal and pituitary gland |
| Preparation | Stay relaxed. Avoid intense workouts before the test. |
| Cost | Rs 400 to Rs 750 |
| Reporting time | <24 hours |
Cortisol Test Price
Cortisol Test Price usually ranges from Rs 400 to Rs 750. The actual price depends on the diagnostic center and the city. Bookmerilab partners with more than 200 diagnostic centres across India. We provide a 10-50% discount on medical diagnostic tests.
| Name of Lab | Test Price |
|---|---|
| Redcliffe Labs | Rs 550 |
| Dr Lal Path labs | Rs 550 |
| Thyrocare | Rs 700 |
| Metropolis Healthcare | Rs 720 ( City-based ) |
| SRL Diagnostics | Rs 750 |
| Vijaya Diagnostics | Rs 1200 |
Cost in different cities
The Cortisol test cost depends upon the one recommended by your healthcare professional. The cost varies depending upon the lab and the city.
| City | Test Price |
|---|---|
| Cortisol Test Price in Delhi | Rs 350 to Rs 600 |
| Mumbai | Rs 380 to Rs 650 |
| Cortisol Test Price in Bangalore | Rs 450 to Rs 1200 |
| Hyderabad | Rs 450 to Rs 900 |
| Cortisol Test in Gurgaon | Rs 400 to Rs 660 |
| Chennai | Rs 385 to Rs 550 |
| Cortisol Test in Kolkata | Rs 450 to Rs 550 |
Role of cortisol in your body
Cortisol is a very important hormone that helps the body to –
- Respond to stress
- Fight infections
- Regulate blood sugar levels
- Regulate carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolism (how the body processes food to create energy)
Your doctor may prescribe this test if you present with symptoms of abnormal cortisol levels.
Some symptoms of high cortisol levels are-
- Increased blood glucose levels
- Weight gain or obesity
- Stunted growth in children
- Excessive hair growth or loss
- Red round face
- Purple stretch marks over the tummy
- Easy bruising on the arms and legs
- Weak muscles and thinner arms and legs
Some symptoms of low cortisol levels are-
- Abdominal pain
- Dehydration
- Cravings for salty food
- Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
- Irritability
- Low blood glucose
- Low blood pressure
- Abnormal menstrual periods
- Nausea and vomiting or diarrhea
- Patches of dark skin and darkening of lips, gums, and palm
What is the purpose of the cortisol test?
The cortisol test helps to diagnose any dysfunction of the adrenal glands or the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is a pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain. The cortisol levels are impacted in diseases like-
- Cushing’s disease -The cortisol levels are much higher than normal
- Addison’s disease – Also known as primary adrenal insufficiency. The cortisol levels are much lower than normal
- Tumors– some tumors may cause higher cortisol levels. Tumors are any abnormal growths
Cortisol Test Timings
Cortisol level changes during the day; it can be measured in the morning and the evening.
Morning Cortisol- To evaluate for a possible adrenal insufficiency, cortisol is best measured in the morning.
Evening Cortisol- It is best measured in the afternoon or evening to differentiate between normal and Cushing’s Syndrome patients.
The variation in the cortisol levels in the morning and the evening also referred to as diurnal rhythmicity of cortisol, is increased by systemic diseases.
Preparation
Do inform your doctor if you are taking any medicine both prescription and non-prescription, ayurvedic, etc. Your doctor may advise you to stop the ones that can affect the test results like steroids. DO NOT stop any medication on your own.
Fasting is not required for the test.
You may be advised to avoid intense physical exercise 24 hours before the test. You may be advised to rest and relax before the test.
Procedure
It is a fairly simple diagnostic blood test. A blood sample is taken from the vein in your arm or hand by the following steps-
- A technician (phlebotomist) may tie a tourniquet (elastic band) to your arm.
- The phlebotomist will locate your blood vessel.
- The site is cleaned with spirit.
- A Needle is inserted into your vein to draw the blood.
- The blood sample is then withdrawn into a syringe or a vial.
- Cotton is placed on the puncture site with mild pressure till the bleeding stops.
- A small band-aid is then placed, which may be removed after an hour.
The entire procedure takes only a few minutes.
Cortisol Saliva Test- This test may be done by a healthcare provider at the clinic or at home by yourself with the help of a cortisol home testing kit. Carefully follow the instructions given by your health care provider about how to perform it at home. It is usually recommended to perform at night between 10 to 11:30 p.m. before going to bed since the Cortisol level is low at this time.
Cortisol Urine Test- This test measures what is known as free cortisol that is not attached to a protein like the blood cortisol. For this, a 24-hour urine sample is needed. This means every time you go to pee, you need to collect the urine sample in the container provided over 24 hours.
Risks
It is a very simple and safe test. The risks involved are the same as that in any other blood test. These include-
- Infection at the puncture site if proper sterilization protocol is not followed and the needle is contaminated. This is, however, very rare. You may ensure that your phlebotomist takes out the needle in front of you from a sterile pack.
- Multiple pricks if the blood vessel is not easily found
- Excessive bleeding at the puncture site- Please inform your healthcare provider if you are taking any blood thinners or have any bleeding disorders.
- Light-headedness due to stress or heavy bleeding.
Minor pain and bruising that might occur will resolve on their own in a very short time.
Cortisol Test Results and Interpretation
The Cortisol test needs to be done multiple times to determine its accurate levels in the body as it keeps varying from time to time, as discussed earlier.
Normal Levels
The normal range of Cortisol in the morning and evening is 4.3-22.4 mcg/dL and 3.09-16.66 mcg/dL, respectively.
| Parameter | Normal Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Cortisol (Morning) | 4.30-22.40 | mcg/dL |
| Cortisol (Evening) | 3.09-16.66 | mcg/dL |
Common reasons for Cortisol level variation
Sometimes deviation in cortisol levels may be seen in individuals due to the following factors-
- Exercise
- Infection, injury, or disease.
- Hypothyroidism.
- Medications such as prednisone, hydrocortisone, or birth control pills.
- Obesity.
- Pregnancy.
- Physical or emotional stress.
Cortisol Test Abnormal Levels
Higher than Normal Values
Higher levels of cortisol may indicate-
- A pituitary gland tumor may be producing adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) which stimulates the production of cortisol from adrenal glands.
- Tumor in the adrenal gland that’s producing too much cortisol
- Tumors in some other parts of the body like small cell lung cancer
Lower than Normal values
A low level of cortisol might indicate-
- An underactive pituitary gland, called hypopituitarism
- Addison’s disease – Underactive or damaged adrenal glands
- Pituitary gland tumor that slows down the ACTH production
Cortisol Test Sample Report
Limitations of Cortisol Test
Since the cortisol levels naturally vary throughout the day and are also influenced by a lot of other factors, multiple samples spanning different times in the day may be needed for a definite diagnosis.
Conclusion
The measure of cortisol levels will help your doctor diagnose any dysfunction of your pituitary and adrenal glands. Since high cortisol levels can have an adverse effect on the body we recommend you to manage and reduce your stress.
Exercise, meditate, breathe, and sleep well! We wish you a happy, healthy, and relaxed life!
FAQ’s
A cortisol test measures the amount of cortisol in your blood, saliva, or urine. It helps detect the diseases of the pituitary and adrenal gland.
Your sleep-wake cycle follows a circadian rhythm and so does cortisol production. Abnormal cortisol levels can cause sleep disturbances like insomnia, shortened overall sleep time, or fragmented sleep.
It can cause weight gain. Cortisol stimulates fat and carbohydrate metabolism creating an increase in energy in the body. This can also increase your appetite and cause cravings for sweet, fatty, and salty foods.
Low levels of cortisol can cause weakness, fatigue, and low blood pressure. It can lead to sudden dizziness, vomiting, and even loss of consciousness.
You can help your body regulate your cortisol levels by the following steps-
Reset your circadian rhythm. Good sleep is essential for good health.
Reduce alcohol and caffeine use
Try an anti-inflammatory diet rich in vegetables, healthy fats, and whole foods
Take Supplements including Vitamin C, vitamin B5, fish oil, and magnesium.
Follow a healthy exercise routine
Control your stress levels through meditation, yoga, and other relaxation mechanisms
How to book a serum Cortisol Test?
Source–
Physiology, Cortisol – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf (nih.gov)
Corticosteroids-Mechanisms of Action in Health and Disease – PMC (nih.gov)
₹500 ₹1999
Cortisol Test
Dr Garima Saroj
Dr Garima Saroj is a dentist from Manipal college of dental sciences. She has previously worked at ESIC dental college and hospital Delhi and Dentecare multispecialty dental clinic Gurugram. She has a passion for writing for patient education and awareness.