How can I check my cortisol levels at home?

A person can take these tests at home by providing a urine, blood, or saliva sample. Once a lab analyzes the test, people usually receive their results within a few days. Individuals should follow up on any test results with a healthcare professional. Test your cortisol level from home with LetsGetChecked.

medicalnewstoday.com - Cortisol tests: Information, types, and purpose - Medical News Today

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We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: Medical News Today only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. Cortisol is a hormone with various functions. If the body cannot regulate cortisol levels, this can have serious health effects. An at-home cortisol test can help show when a person might need medical attention. However, there are currently no studies investigating the reliability of these home cortisol tests. Therefore, people should follow up on their test results with a healthcare professional. After taking a home cortisol test, people can sometimes receive their results as early as within 2–5 days online or via a telephone call with a healthcare professional. There are several home cortisol tests available to purchase over the counter or online. These allow a person to take a blood, urine, or saliva sample before sending it off for analysis. A cortisol test usually involves a blood test . However, some tests may require saliva and urine samples instead. Several online retailers offer home cortisol tests. It is essential for people to follow all test instructions to ensure a valid result. Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication. Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.

Best for follow-up advice: LetsGetChecked Cortisol Test

Price: $99

$99 Sample type: This test requires a finger-prick blood sample.

This test requires a finger-prick blood sample. Results time: People can receive their results in 2–5 days. People can receive their results in 2–5 days. Pro: Follow-up support is available 24-7. Follow-up support is available 24-7. Con: Some people may not be comfortable taking their own blood sample. This cortisol test uses the finger-prick method to draw blood for the sample.

Here are the steps to take and send off a blood sample:

A person should collect their sample before 9 am and return it immediately. The company advises a person should not collect or return samples on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. A person will fill in their details on the collection box and activate their testing kit online at LetsGetChecked. Then, they will wash their hands with warm soapy water before using an alcohol swab to clean the finger they will prick. Once their finger is completely dry, they will pierce the skin using the lancet in the test kit. Then, they will wipe away the first drop of blood before squeezing some into the blood collection tube. After closing the tube, they will invert it 5–10 times before placing it in the included biohazard bag and then put it in the box. After completing these steps, a person must send the sample back to LetsGetChecked using the kit’s prepaid envelope. LetsGetChecked claims test results come back within 2–5 days. According to the company, it tests samples in the same labs that primary care professionals and hospitals use. These labs have Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) and College of American Pathologists (CAP) certifications. The company also has a team of nurses and doctors available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to offer ongoing support. The healthcare professionals are available to discuss a person’s results over the phone. This test is best for people who think they may need follow-up support and for people who do not mind pricking their finger to provide a sample.

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The LetsGetChecked Cortisol Test costs $99.

Best urine sample cortisol test: Everlywell Sleep & Stress Test

Price: $199

$199 Sample type: This test requires a urine sample.

This test requires a urine sample. Results time: People receive their results in 2–5 days. People receive their results in 2–5 days. Pro: It tests for three hormones over different periods of the day. Everlywell also accepts flexible savings account and health savings account payments. It tests for three hormones over different periods of the day. Everlywell also accepts flexible savings account and health savings account payments. Con: It is expensive. This Everlywell product uses a urine sample to test the levels of three hormones, cortisol, cortisone, and melatonin, over four points during the day. It also tests for another marker, creatinine, which is a waste product of the muscles. There are three steps to this test. First, a person registers the testing kit on Everlywell’s website, follows the instructions to take the urine sample, places it in the prepaid package, and sends it off to Everlywell’s certified labs. People will receive their results digitally via the Everlywell website. Everlywell claims this can be within 2–5 days. Healthcare professionals can also offer insights into a person’s results via Everlywell’s secure platform. In addition to providing a personalized report of each marker, Everlywell sends detailed information explaining the results. The company claims that the labs where Everlywell tests samples are CLIA certified. Everlywell also says it ensures that independent, board certified doctors within the person’s state review and approve all results. This test is best for people who want into their hormone fluctuations and prefer urine sample tests.

The Everlywell Sleep & Stress Test costs $199.

Best lower cost cortisol test: ZRT Laboratory Cortisol Saliva Test

Price: $86

$86 Sample type: This test requires a saliva sample.

This test requires a saliva sample. Results time: People receive their results in 5–7 business days. People receive their results in 5–7 business days. Pro: The test is more affordable than its competitors. The test is more affordable than its competitors. Con: A person may have to stop taking hormone medications 2 days before taking the test. This test involves collecting saliva in the morning. ZRT Laboratory indicates that the morning is the peak time for hormone production and the best time to test cortisol levels. It adds that saliva tests may suit some people because they are noninvasive, and a person can do them in the comfort of their home or in an office or lab.

The company recommends taking the saliva sample after waking up.

People with regular menstruation patterns should take saliva samples on days 19, 20, or 21 of their cycle. If their cycle is irregular, they should take the sample 5 days before their period, if they can anticipate the start date. According to ZRT Laboratory, people should stop taking hormone medications — except birth control and thyroid medication — at least 12 hours before collecting the sample. After collecting their sample, people then ship it to a CLIA certified lab. If they cannot send their saliva sample within 24 hours, they should freeze them until they can do so.

ZRT Laboratory returns results within 5–7 business days.

This test may be best for people working with a smaller budget.

A person can order the ZRT Laboratory Cortisol Saliva Test online for $86.

Best cortisol test for tracking cortisol fluctuations: Verisana Diurnal Cortisol Test

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Price: $129.95

$129.95 Sample type: This test requires a saliva sample.

This test requires a saliva sample. Results time: People receive their results in around 3 weeks. People receive their results in around 3 weeks. Pro: A person takes the test four times a day, resulting in more detailed reports. A person takes the test four times a day, resulting in more detailed reports. Con: The results take a long time to process, and a person must restrict consumption of certain foods before testing. Verisana Diurnal Cortisol Test uses saliva to measure cortisol throughout the day: once upon waking, after 4 hours of being awake, after 8 hours, and after 10 hours. The company says that since cortisol levels fluctuate throughout the day, this test keeps track of the changing levels and determines a person’s daily levels. When taking a sample, a person should collect their first sample between when they wake up and 11 a.m., the next between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., the next between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., and the final sample between 7 p.m. and bedtime. Verisana says that customers should stop taking hormonal medications — except for birth control and thyroid medications — 48 hours before collecting the sample. People with regular menstruation patterns should take samples between days 19 and 21 of their cycle. People with more irregular cycles should take the sample 5 days before their expected cycle. Verisana also says that people should avoid milk and soy products, chocolate, wine, and meat for 12 hours before taking the test. A CLIA certified lab will test the samples, and a person will receive their results after 3 weeks. This test may be best suited to people who do not need results quickly and would like a more detailed report that monitors cortisol fluctuations.

A person can order the Verisana Diurnal Cortisol Test online for $129.95.

Best cortisol test for AM and PM testing: Rx HomeTest Cortisol AM-PM Test

Price: $99.99

$99.99 Sample type: This test requires two saliva samples.

This test requires two saliva samples. Results time: People receive their results in 5 business days. People receive their results in 5 business days. Pro: A person takes two samples throughout the day to allow for fluctuations. A person takes two samples throughout the day to allow for fluctuations. Con: People must remember to take the sample within the appropriate time window. This Rx HomeTest Cortisol AM/PM Test requires a person to take two saliva samples: one 30–60 minutes after waking in the morning, before eating breakfast or brushing teeth, and the other before bed. The company states that collecting two samples can help provide insight into a person’s 24-hour cortisol cycle. Once a person collects the sample, they can ship it to the Rx HomeTest CLIA lab for free. The company claims it sends test results within 5 business days and that they are easy to understand. This test may be best suited to people who to understand their 24-hour cortisol cycle, but do not want to take an invasive sample. The RxHomeTest Cortisol AM/PM Test is available across the United States, except in the following states: