Cortisol

Cortisol is often called the "stress hormone" because it's essential for helping your body respond to stress, manage inflammation, and regulate blood sugar. The Cortisol test measures the level of this steroid hormone in your blood, urine, or saliva, which naturally changes throughout the day. Your adrenal glands produce cortisol, and abnormal levels can point toward significant health conditions. Checking your cortisol levels is a direct way to screen for disorders like Cushing's syndrome (too much cortisol) or Addison's disease (too little cortisol). This simple panel provides crucial information about your adrenal and pituitary gland function.