Stress & aging

Cortisol test

Cortisol is your main stress hormone, made by the adrenal glands.

Included in every $199 draw

Key benefits of cortisol testing

Shows how your body is handling stress load.
Helps explain poor sleep, belly weight gain and energy crashes.
Pairs with DHEA-S to show adrenal balance.
Screens for rare but serious adrenal problems.
Tracks how sleep and stress changes affect you.

What is cortisol?

Cortisol follows a daily rhythm. It peaks in the morning to wake you up and falls through the day so you can sleep. It also raises blood sugar and calms inflammation when you need it.

Why cortisol matters

Ongoing high cortisol can raise blood sugar and blood pressure, add belly fat and disturb sleep. Very low cortisol can cause fatigue, dizziness and low blood pressure.

What your cortisol results mean

Low: can come from adrenal problems, long-term steroid use or, rarely, pituitary issues. Needs a physician review.
In range: your morning stress hormone output looks normal.
High: often from stress, poor sleep, illness or some medications. Rarely, it signals Cushing's syndrome.
Context matters: time of day makes a big difference. Insyght's draw measures morning cortisol, so book before 10 a.m.

Standard vs. optimal range

	Range
Standard lab range (morning)	About 5 to 23 µg/dL (varies by lab)
Insyght optimal range	Set by the Insyght medical team

LowHigh

Lab reference rangeYour optimal range

A value can read normal on a standard panel and still sit outside optimal. Insyght flags it.

Do I need a cortisol test?

Wired but tired, waking at 3 a.m., or gaining weight around your middle under stress? Cortisol shows how your body is carrying that load.

See what stress is doing to your body

Insyght tests cortisol with DHEA-S, thyroid and metabolic markers, so your physician sees the whole stress picture. $199 a year.

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Similar biomarkers

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Frequently asked questions

What time should I test cortisol?

In the morning, ideally between 7 and 9 a.m., when levels naturally peak.

Can stress raise my cortisol test result?

Yes. A stressful morning, poor sleep or illness can raise a single reading. Your physician reads it alongside your symptoms.

How can I lower cortisol naturally?

Consistent sleep, regular exercise, daylight in the morning and less late-day caffeine help most people.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Maria Gutierrez Horn, MD, FACE, Board-certified endocrinologist, in practice since 2001. Last updated September 28, 2026.