Cortisol is your body’s primary stress hormone. It plays a role in many aspects of your health, from blood pressure and heart rate to energy levels and metabolism. If your cortisol levels aren’t properly regulated, it can cause unpleasant symptoms. Taking an at-home cortisol test can help you track your levels so you can take action to improve your health and well-being.
It’s Convenient
Cortisol is a hormone that plays a vital role in your body. It helps check blood pressure, blood sugar, and hormone levels. It also helps fight infections and is responsible for maintaining the integrity of your integumentary system. You can get an at home cortisol test to help you understand whether your levels are too high or too low. These tests typically take a urine or saliva sample, and once the lab analyzes them, you’ll be able to receive your results within a few days.
It’s Affordable
If you want to manage your stress and sleep without going to the doctor, at-home cortisol testing may be proper. However, it should not replace a doctor’s evaluation of your symptoms, and it can only be used to determine whether you are in the suitable range for your cortisol levels. Depending on your chosen company, you can order a kit online and mail it back for testing or have a medical professional come to your home to draw blood samples. Either option will give you peace of mind that your sample is appropriately drawn and sent to a trusted lab for analysis. Another way to test your cortisol level is by taking a urine or saliva test. Urine tests collect pee from your bladder for 24 hours, while saliva tests measure how much spit you spit out every morning.
It’s Easy
A cortisol test is a quick and easy way to determine whether you produce too much or too little of this critical hormone. It can help you and your doctor identifies a health issue contributing to symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, mood swings, and delayed healing. While it’s common to feel stressed occasionally, chronic stress can cause abnormal cortisol levels. This can affect several areas of your body, including your blood pressure and hormone levels, immune system, energy level, and overall well-being. The most common way to measure cortisol is by taking a urine sample. The cortisol level in your urine will change throughout the day, a good indicator of how your body is functioning. Once you’ve collected your samples, please return them to your provider or lab as instructed. This process will take anywhere from 2 to 5 days. Depending on the type of test you choose, a healthcare professional can explain your results and discuss if further testing is needed.
It’s Time-Saving
If you’re a health enthusiast, you probably keep track of your blood pressure, heart rate, weight, and other essential factors regularly. But you may not be tracking one hormone that’s a game-changer for your health – cortisol! Often called the “stress hormone,” cortisol is essential for maintaining health. This hormone regulates energy, blood sugar levels, and fat storage in the body. Elevated levels of this hormone can lead to various health problems, including headaches, insomnia, mood disorders, and digestive issues. You can check your cortisol level with a saliva test. A saliva test kit collects and sends your saliva sample to a lab for testing. Most saliva tests measure cortisol at a few points during the day, with the highest levels detected first thing in the morning.
It’s Accurate
Cortisol is a hormone your body produces when stressed or under pressure. It regulates several essential functions, including your appetite and how much fat you store. It also controls blood pressure and hormone levels. Usually, your cortisol level rises and falls throughout the day. It’s highest in the morning and lowest near midnight. When you’re under a lot of stress, your cortisol levels can stay elevated for extended periods. Often, your doctor will order a stress test that measures these hormones and other substances in your blood. Several at-home cortisol tests measure your daily hormones if you want a more comprehensive approach. They’ll help you determine whether your cortisol levels are normal or excessive, which may indicate an underlying problem. When looking for an at-home cortisol test, ensure it’s accurate and easy to use. It’s also essential to choose a company that offers support, such as a follow-up phone consultation with a doctor. In addition, look for a test that uses Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certified labs.
It’s Easy to Use
When most people think about their health, they typically focus on their blood pressure, heart rate, and weight. However, the body’s hormones can also play a key role in our feelings. For example, doctors often monitor cortisol levels when patients have problems such as headaches, depression, or a sleep disorder. Elevated cortisol levels can lead to various health issues, including memory loss, muscle pain, heart disease, and digestive problems. If you’re wondering if your cortisol levels are too high or too low, several at-home testing options are available. These kits allow you to collect a urine, blood, or saliva sample at home and send it to a lab. Once the lab analyzes your test, you’ll receive your results within a few days. Unlike blood work, saliva testing allows a more thorough analysis of the body’s stress hormones. This is especially useful for identifying an irregular demand or lack of rhythm in a person’s cortisol production. This can help you determine the source of your symptoms and improve your treatment options.