Cortisol

A cortisol test measures the level of cortisol in your blood, urine (pee), or saliva (spit). Cortisol is a hormone made by your adrenal glands, two small glands that sit above your kidneys. Hormones are chemical messengers in your bloodstream that control the actions of certain cells or organs. Cortisol affects almost every organ and tissue in your body.

Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine

Normal range

17 published ranges, each from a named source
18 y+ · morning
4.6–25 ug/dL (varies by lab)ARUP 4.6–20.6 · Mayo 7–25 ug/dL
18 y+ · afternoon
1.8–14 ug/dL (varies by lab)ARUP 1.8–13.6 · Mayo 2–14 ug/dL
morning
5–25 ug/dL (varies by lab)LabCorp 6.2–19.4 · Mayo 5–25 ug/dL
afternoon
2–14 ug/dL (varies by lab)LabCorp 2.3–11.9 · Mayo 2–14 ug/dL

These labs do not agree for 18 y+ · morning: the published adult ranges differ by up to 52%, so the same result can read as normal at one lab and be flagged at another — ARUP 4.6–20.6 · Mayo 7–25 ug/dL. Both are real published values, shown as each lab states them.

Ranges from ARUP Laboratories Test Directory, LabCorp Test Directory, Mayo Clinic Laboratories (Pediatric Test Catalog), Mayo Clinic Laboratories (Test Catalog).

All source ranges (17)

What an abnormal result can be associated with

A high result
Increased circulating cortisol level
A low result
Decreased circulating cortisol level
Associations from LOINC2HPO (Human Phenotype Ontology). This is reference information, not a diagnosis: only a clinician can interpret your result in context.
details
Sample
Serum or plasma · LOINC
Part of
Bryan Johnson Blueprint
Listed under
Addison Disease · Adrenal Gland Cancer · Adrenal Gland Disorders · Cushing's Syndrome · Hormones
Code
LOINC 2143-6 · ug/dL
Also known as
Compound F, Coritsol, hydrocortisone, Cort
See your own Cortisol Add a lab report and it is drawn against your lab's range, over time. Upload a Blood Test