What's this test for?

This test is ideal if you're experiencing unexplained weight gain, easy bruising, muscle weakness, high blood pressure, or sleep problems that could point to too much cortisol in your body. It's especially useful if a healthcare visit has raised concern about Cushing syndrome, since it measures cortisol at night when levels should naturally be low. It's also a good option if you need to track cortisol levels over time because symptoms seem to come and go.

What happens after I get my results?

Your results will show up in your account with each cortisol reading explained alongside its normal range, so you can see exactly where you fall. If your late-night level comes back high, a common next step is to repeat the test at least one more time, since two elevated results in a row are typically needed before drawing further conclusions. If you already have a diagnosis and are watching for recurrence, retesting on a yearly basis is a common approach. You can download the full lab report anytime, and the trends feature lets you compare results from multiple collection days side by side.

What symptoms indicate I may need this test?

Common signs that prompt this test include unexplained weight gain (especially around the belly and face), thinning skin, easy bruising, muscle weakness, high blood pressure, and mood changes like anxiety or depression. Trouble sleeping, especially waking up wired at night, can also be a clue since cortisol should be at its lowest late at night. If several of these symptoms show up together, it may be worth checking your late-night cortisol pattern.

How can I naturally support healthy cortisol rhythms?

Keeping a consistent sleep schedule and avoiding screens or bright light late at night helps your body maintain its natural cortisol dip. Regular moderate exercise, limiting caffeine and alcohol in the evening, and practicing stress-reduction techniques like deep breathing or meditation can also help keep cortisol patterns steady. Eating balanced meals and avoiding late-night heavy meals supports your body's natural rhythm too. These habits won't fix an underlying medical cause, but they support your body's normal cortisol cycle.

When will I get my results?

Results are typically ready within about 7 days of the lab receiving your saliva samples. You'll get a notification once your report is available in your account, where you can view each value along with what it means. Because this test relies on two separate collections, make sure both samples reach the lab before results can be finalized.

Who should consider this test?

This test is a good fit for anyone who has symptoms suggesting excess cortisol, such as unusual weight gain, high blood pressure, or muscle weakness, or for people already being monitored for Cushing disease after treatment. It's also useful for those whose symptoms come and go, since saliva samples are easy to collect at home over multiple nights. People with irregular sleep-wake schedules, however, may not get accurate results from this specific test.

What is cortisol and why does it matter?

Cortisol is a hormone your adrenal glands release that helps control your blood sugar, blood pressure, metabolism, and response to stress. It normally follows a daily rhythm, rising in the morning and dropping to its lowest point late at night. When that rhythm breaks down and cortisol stays high at night, it can be an early sign of a hormone imbalance like Cushing syndrome.

What does a high late-night cortisol result mean?

A high late-night cortisol reading means your body isn't dropping down to its normal low overnight, which can be an early sign of excess cortisol production. One elevated result on its own isn't usually enough for a full picture, so a repeat test is often the next step. If results stay high across multiple tests, this pattern is worth exploring further given the range of symptoms it can cause.

What can cause a falsely high cortisol reading?

Things like obesity, heavy alcohol use, certain psychiatric conditions, polycystic ovary syndrome, and irregular sleep schedules can all raise late-night cortisol without an underlying adrenal problem. Stress on the day of collection, working night shifts, or collecting the sample at the wrong time can also throw off results. That's why the collection instructions on your order confirmation should be followed closely for accurate timing.

How often should I retest?

If you're screening for Cushing syndrome, two or more late-night saliva collections are usually recommended to confirm a pattern rather than relying on a single result. If you've already been diagnosed and treated, annual testing is a common way to watch for recurrence. Your own retesting schedule may vary depending on your symptoms and history, so tracking results over time in your account can help spot changes early.

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short: In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want. If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test. Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout. If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want. When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system. Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way. You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy! If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

How do I know which test to get?

In the test options, find the test you want. If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option. Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

When will my lab results be available?

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know. After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop! If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you. Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update. Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you. There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out. Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Do you accept health insurance?

Only HSA & FSA is accepted. Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts. This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

Can I cancel my order?

Yes. We get it – sometimes your needs change. As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order. If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com. You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

How can I find a lab location near me?

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached! You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp). Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Salivary Cortisol Test - Cushing Syndrome Screening

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.

Long story short:

In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!

754-799-7833

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