Cortisol (AM & PM)
Cortisol is a hormone that is made in the adrenal glands. It is important for many functions in the body, including stress response, regulation of blood sugar and blood pressure, and more. The timing of this test is important because your cortisol levels change over the course of a day. While a single cortisol level can be useful, testing your cortisol levels at different times of the day can provide an even more complete look at how your body responds to stressors.
Typically, cortisol levels are highest in the early morning, shortly after waking. Morning cortisol levels are important for assessing the body’s ability to produce a stress response upon waking and preparing for the day. Cortisol levels tend to decrease throughout the day, and reach their lowest point in the evening and at night. Afternoon cortisol levels reflect the body’s response to stressors and energy demands later in the day.
For this test, you will be required to provide 2 samples at different times on the same day. For the Cortisol AM test, your sample must be drawn between 7:00AM-9:00AM. For the Cortisol PM test, your sample must be drawn between 3:00PM-5:00PM. Please reach out to your local Any Lab Test Now store to coordinate the testing times that work best for you.