Cortisol Stress Test

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About This Test

Sample method: Hair

Cortigenix’s Cortisol Over Time (COT) is a cortisol stress test that measures your levels over the past 3-months.

This test can be used to measure adrenal performance and get a clear picture of how of chronic stress may be impacting your health and future risk of illness.

What to know

A hair sample is used for this cortisol stress test because unlike blood, saliva and urine tests which measure short-term cortisol levels, this stress hormon cortisol test measures your levels over the past 3-months.

You will need to provide a hair sample that is a minimum 1cm in length.

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 chronic stress

Chronic stress refers to long-term stress that typically lasts several months or even years for some people. If you have been experiencing chronic stress then you may have some of the following signs and symptoms.

• Chronic fatigue
• Low Mood
• Recurrent Illness
• Headaches
• Depression
• Brain fog
• Anxiety
• Excess fat ‘cortisol belly’
• Low energy
• Puffy rounded face
• Recurrent illness
• Skin problems
• Difficulty conceiving
• Memory problems
• Weight loss and decreased appetite
• Difficulty sleeping
• Nausea, diarrhoea or vomiting
• Muscle or joint pains
• Irregular periods
• Sexual dysfunction

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Who should take the test

You should take this cortisol stress test if you want to check whether chronic stress is impacting your physical health or detect an underlying adrenal condition. Take this test if:

• You are experiencing chronic stress
• You have any of the signs and symptoms of cortisol imbalance
• Feeing constantly tired
• You are experiencing signs and symptoms of Addisons Disease
• You are experiencing signs and symptoms of Cushings Disease
• You are trying to conceive
• You have recurrent infections and want to check immune function
• You want to improve your brain health

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How is this cortisol stress test different to other tests?

This stress test measures your long-term average cortisol levels over the past 3 months. This test is different to ‘acute’ blood, saliva and urine tests which only measure your short-term cortisol levels over minutes to hours.

Here are some important things you should know about testing cortisol for stress:

Long-term measurement: Testing cortisol levels for stress is difficult using blood, saliva and urine. These tests only provide a ‘snapshot’ of cortisol levels at the time of testing or over a 24-hour period. Whereas our cortisol stress test measures cortisol levels in hair which provides a measure of cortisol levels over a period of several months.

Cortisol levels change minute-by-minute and from day-to-day: Cortisol levels vary throughout the day due to a natural diurnal rhythm with levels peaking in the morning and decreasing throughout the day. Depending on the type of test this usually means that several repeated samples are required throughout the day. At best, blood, saliva and urine cortisol tests only provide a measure of cortisol over minutes to hours.

Cortisol levels also change from day-to-day which means that your results can be different on different days which can lead to misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis. This is why Cortigenix’s Cortisol Over Time (COT) 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 stress test that uses blood can be uncomfortable or even painful for some people. Collecting a hair sample is less invasive and completely painless.

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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

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How it works

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

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Still have questions?

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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.

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Is your test available worldwide?

Yes. We ship globally and you can order our cortisol test from 170 countries worldwide.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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).

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Will any hair bleaching and hair treatments impact my results?

No, Hair samples are stripped of any contaminants before being analysed.

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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.