Whatever your health goal, optimise your health and longevity today with our simple at-home hair cortisol testing.
Fast, accurate and non-invasive, our hair cortisol test provides the most comprehensive view of your long-term cortisol levels over time.
With our easy-to-use, hair cortisol test you can take control of your wellness journey and make informed decisions to optimise your health and promote longevity.
No blood. No needles.
Quick and easy collection with fast results
FREE UK postage
No need for repeated samples
Clinically proven with expert support
Cortisol Longevity Test | £149.00 £129.00 |
Sample method: Hair
Cortigenix’s Cortisol Over Time (COT) test is a cortisol test that measures your average cortisol levels over the past 3-months.
This test can be used to measure adrenal performance, optimise your health and promote longevity.
What to know
A hair sample is used for this hair cortisol test because unlike blood, saliva and urine tests which measure short-term cortisol levels, our test measures your long-term cortisol levels over time.
You will need to provide a hair sample that is a minimum of 3cm in length for this test.
We will send you your home collection kit with easy-to-follow instructions so that you can take your sample from home.
Signs and symptoms of abnormal cortisol levels
Abnormal cortisol levels are associated with some of the following signs and symptoms.
You should take our hair cortisol test if you want to optimise your health and promote longevity. This test is ideal for individuals who:
Long-term measurement: Blood, saliva and urine cortisol tests only provide a ‘snapshot’ of cortisol levels at the time of testing or over a 24-hour period. Hair cortisol testing provides a measure of cortisol levels over several months.
Cortisol levels change minute-by-minute and from day-to-day: Your cortisol levels can change minute-by-minute from day-to-day. This means that traditional cortisol testing using blood, saliva and urine can provide different results on different days leading to misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis. This is why our baseline hair cortisol test measures your average cortisol levels over 3-months.
More accurate than blood, saliva and urine cortisol tests: Cortisol levels in hair have been shown to be the most accurate way to measure cortisol. Cortisol levels in blood, saliva and urine can be influenced by a variety of factors, including acute stress, physical activity, and medications, whereas cortisol levels in hair reflect a more stable measure of long-term cortisol exposure.
Less invasive: A cortisol test that uses blood can be uncomfortable or even painful for some people. Collecting a hair sample is less invasive and completely painless.
As a busy professional, stress is a constant in my life. I suspected it was affecting my health, and this test confirmed it. Armed with knowledge about my cortisol levels, I've been able to make small changes to my routine that have had a big impact on my overall well-being. Dashboard is very detailed and informative.
S Dallaway
I've been struggling with fatigue and mood swings for ages, but doctors couldn't pinpoint the cause. After taking Cortigenix’s Cortisol Test, I finally had answers. Turns out, my cortisol levels were out of whack. With targeted support and guidance, I'm feeling more like myself again. Highly recommend getting tested with Cortigenix if you are looking to combat chronic stress.
M Perry
We make finding out simple. No blood. No needles. All from home. We just need a small sample of your hair!
Step 1
Buy your test
Step 2
Prepare your hair sample
Step 3
Send your sample to us
Step 4
Get your results
What is cortisol?
Cortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone often called the ‘stress hormone’ because of it’s role in helping the body respond to stress.
Cortisol has many vital roles and regulates a wide range of processes throughout the body. Cortisol regulates the immune system, reproductive functions, metabolism, helps to maintain brain health, and regulates blood pressure.
Every cell and system in the body has receptors for cortisol so the effects of cortisol on health are far reaching depending on the cells, tissues and systems cortisol is acting upon.
Is your test available worldwide?
Yes. We ship globally and you can order our cortisol test from 170 countries worldwide.
What is the science behind Cortigenix’s cortisol test?
Our cortisol test has been independently validated based on data from thousands of research participants. Our research partners include the University of Nottingham, University of Auckland and Kings College London.
Why is it necessary to measure cortisol over 3-months?
Measuring cortisol levels over 3-months is necessary because cortisol levels fluctuate and can change minute-by-minute and day-by-day. If you have had a ‘low’ or ‘high’ cortisol level in the past it is possible your result may be due to a temporary spike in cortisol levels due to acute stress, the time of day you took your samples or simply down to a ‘bad day’.
To get an accurate measurement of chronic stress and adrenal function we have to measure cortisol function over time (i.e., several months).
This is similar to a HbA1c test that measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 3 months and is commonly used to diagnose and manage diabetes.
Cortigenix’s Cortisol Over Time (COT) test measures average cortisol levels over the past 3 months to provide a clear and accurate assessment of your cortisol levels.
Why does this test use hair to test cortisol levels?
The science is clear that hair is the most accurate way to measure cortisol levels over time. Blood, saliva and urine cortisol tests only provide a short-term snapshot of cortisol over minutes to hours.
This is a problem because cortisol levels fluctuate and can change minute-by-minute and day-by-day. Therefore ‘low’ or ‘high’ cortisol level may be due to a temporary change or spike in cortisol levels due to acute stress, the time of day you took your samples or simply down to a ‘bad day’.
By using hair we are able to measure your average cortisol levels over 3-months without the need for repeated samples which are more time-consuming and more expensive.
This is similar to a HbA1c test that measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 3 months and is commonly used to diagnose and manage diabetes.
How much hair do I need to provide?
You will need to provide a small hair sample from your head using scissors. The minimum amount of hair we need is 1cm in length and around 8-10 strands of hair in thickness (2-3 mm).
Where should I take my hair sample from?
We recommend taking a sample from the back of your head near to the ‘cranial bone’ (this is the bump you can feel at the back of your head).
Will any hair bleaching and hair treatments impact my results?
No, Hair samples are stripped of any contaminants before being analysed.
How are my results delivered?
Your results will be delivered through your personalised dashboard within 10 working days. We will notify you via email when your results are ready.