Cortisol — Your Built-In Alarm System
Cortisol gets a bad rap, but you'd be lost without it. Produced by your adrenal glands, it follows a natural rhythm — peaking in the morning to get you going, then tapering off toward bedtime. It regulates your stress response, mood, digestion, immune system, and energy levels. The trouble? Modern life can hijack that rhythm. Chronic stress keeps cortisol elevated, and that's when the domino effect begins.
Why Test Cortisol?
Testing cortisol gives you a snapshot of how your body handles stress at a hormonal level. It's useful for spotting risk factors for lifestyle diseases, checking how lifestyle changes are landing, and understanding why your thyroid might not be cooperating. If you're burned out, gaining weight around the middle, or just feel 'wired but tired' — cortisol is a great place to start.
What Do High Cortisol Levels Mean?
Chronically high cortisol can come from ongoing stress, Cushing's syndrome, long-term corticosteroid use, pituitary or adrenal tumours, depression, obesity, or severe infections. You might notice weight piling on around your midsection and face, thinning skin, slow healing, acne, muscle weakness, high blood pressure, mood swings, anxiety, and irregular periods.
What Do Low Cortisol Levels Mean?
Low cortisol can result from Addison's disease, stopping corticosteroids too suddenly, pituitary problems, or congenital adrenal hyperplasia. The classic signs: fatigue that never lifts, muscle weakness, weight loss, low blood pressure, nausea, and skin darkening.
Symptoms to Watch For
- Chronic fatigue or afternoon energy crashes
- Weight gain, especially around the midsection
- Difficulty sleeping or waking up feeling unrefreshed
- Anxiety, low mood, or mood swings
- Muscle weakness
- High blood pressure
Who Should Get Tested?
- Anyone dealing with chronic stress or burnout
- People with unexplained fatigue or weight changes
- Those with suspected adrenal or pituitary issues
- People managing thyroid conditions
- Anyone curious about their HPA-axis function
How to Prepare for Your Test
No special preparation needed. Try to go to bed at your usual time and skip stressful activities the evening before. Take the test between 7 and 8 am after a normal night's sleep. Bring valid ID to your appointment. If you take a supplement containing biotin (often sold for hair and nails), pause it for two days before the test, as high doses can distort the result.
Order Your Blood Test
Test your Cortisol levels with an accredited Swedish laboratory. Results within days, reviewed by Wellth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why must cortisol be tested in the morning?
Can lifestyle changes affect cortisol levels?
How does cortisol relate to thyroid function?
Reviewed by
Wellth Team
Wellth
Our content is written and reviewed by Wellth, and fact-checked against peer-reviewed research and current Swedish clinical guidelines.
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The information on this page is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Wellth provides health information and testing services but is not a substitute for clinical care. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider if you have questions about a medical condition. If you are experiencing severe or urgent symptoms, contact your doctor or call 1177 Vårdguiden. Blood test results should be interpreted by a qualified healthcare professional in the context of your complete medical history.