What's this test for?

This test is ideal if you're experiencing chronic stress, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, weight gain around your midsection, or feeling wired but tired. It helps identify whether your stress hormone levels are following a healthy daily pattern or if they're disrupted, which can affect your energy, sleep quality, mood, and ability to handle stress. Many people use this test when they suspect their stress is affecting their physical health but want to see what's actually happening with their cortisol throughout the day.

What happens after I get my results?

You'll receive detailed doctor notes in simple language explaining what your cortisol pattern means for your stress response, energy levels, and overall health throughout the day. These notes include personalized recommendations like stress management techniques, sleep optimization strategies, dietary adjustments, and supplement suggestions to help balance your cortisol rhythm. You'll also get the standard lab report and can track your cortisol patterns over time using our trends feature to see how your stress management interventions are working.

What's included in this test?

This test measures cortisol at four specific time points: morning, noon, evening, and night. This test measures cortisol levels at four specific times throughout the day (morning, noon, evening, and night) to map your body's natural stress hormone rhythm. Cortisol should be highest in the morning to help you wake up and gradually decline throughout the day to help you sleep at night. By checking four time points, this test reveals whether your stress response pattern is healthy or disrupted, which can explain symptoms like fatigue, sleep problems, anxiety, or difficulty recovering from stress.

How should I prepare for this test?

No fasting is needed for this saliva test. You'll collect four saliva samples at specific times throughout the day (typically upon waking, before lunch, before dinner, and before bed) using the collection tubes provided. Avoid eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth for 30 minutes before each collection to ensure accurate results. Follow the timing instructions carefully, as collecting samples at the right times is crucial for mapping your daily cortisol pattern.

Who should consider getting this test?

This test is ideal for anyone dealing with chronic stress, burnout, or fatigue that doesn't improve with rest. It's particularly helpful if you're experiencing sleep disturbances, weight gain despite healthy habits, difficulty recovering from workouts, mood swings, or feeling anxious. People with demanding jobs, caregivers, athletes experiencing overtraining, and anyone suspecting their stress is affecting their physical health should consider this test.

What symptoms indicate I may need this test?

Key symptoms include feeling exhausted despite sleeping enough, difficulty falling or staying asleep, craving salty or sugary foods, feeling wired at night but exhausted in the morning, brain fog, irritability, or anxiety. You may also notice stubborn weight gain around your midsection, difficulty recovering from exercise, getting sick frequently, or feeling like you're running on empty. These symptoms often indicate your cortisol rhythm is out of balance.

How can I naturally support healthy cortisol levels?

Managing stress through daily practices like meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga can significantly help balance cortisol. Prioritizing 7-9 hours of quality sleep with a consistent bedtime routine, limiting caffeine after noon, and eating regular balanced meals helps maintain healthy cortisol rhythms. Regular moderate exercise, spending time in nature, reducing screen time before bed, and incorporating adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha or rhodiola may also support balanced cortisol levels.

What is cortisol and why does it matter?

Cortisol is your body's main stress hormone, produced by your adrenal glands. It follows a natural daily rhythm, peaking in the morning to help you wake up and gradually declining throughout the day so you can sleep at night. When this rhythm gets disrupted by chronic stress, poor sleep, or health issues, it can affect your energy, mood, weight, immune function, and ability to handle stress. Balanced cortisol is essential for feeling energized during the day and relaxed at night.

What does high cortisol mean?

High cortisol levels, especially at night when they should be low, can indicate chronic stress, overtraining, or conditions affecting your adrenal glands. Consistently elevated cortisol can lead to sleep problems, weight gain (particularly around your midsection), high blood sugar, weakened immune function, anxiety, and difficulty recovering from stress or exercise. If your cortisol is high at the wrong times, it may explain why you feel wired at night or have trouble winding down.

How often should I retest my cortisol levels?

If you're implementing stress management strategies or lifestyle changes, retesting in 3-6 months helps you see if your cortisol pattern is improving. If you're working with a healthcare provider on adrenal support or stress-related issues, they may recommend retesting more frequently initially, then every 6-12 months once your levels stabilize. Regular testing is valuable for tracking how well your stress management interventions are working over time.

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.

Stress Hormone Test - Daily Cortisol Pattern Check

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

[email protected]

Blood Test for Stress and Daily Energy Patterns

Cortisol saliva test 4-tube

90 day happiness guarantee

Prescription & fees included

Easy to understand results

Fast & convenient

90 day happiness guarantee

Prescription & fees included

Easy to understand results

Fast & convenient

What's this test for?

How should I prepare for this test?

What's included in this test?

Here’s why 1,000,000+ customers chose us for affordable hassle-free private blood testing.

Blood Test for Stress and Daily Energy Patterns

90 day happiness guarantee

Prescription & fees included

Easy to understand results

Fast & convenient

1,000,000+ blood tests later, here's what our customers say