To book a morning slot, call 8872524007.
What the Cortisol test checks
Cortisol is a steroid hormone made by the adrenal glands, which sit on top of the kidneys. It helps control blood sugar, blood pressure and the body's response to stress and illness. The pituitary gland controls how much is made through a hormone called ACTH. The test measures total cortisol in serum, usually in mcg/dL.
Why your doctor may order it
- Signs that the adrenals may be underactive: tiredness, weight loss, dizziness on standing, low blood pressure, darkening of the skin.
- Signs of too much cortisol: weight gain around the middle and face, purple stretch marks, easy bruising, high sugar or blood pressure.
- After long-term steroid tablets, to see whether the body's own production has recovered.
- As part of a dynamic test arranged by a doctor, such as a sample the morning after a dexamethasone tablet.
How to prepare
Come at the time on your slip, usually 8 to 9 am. Fasting isn't required unless other tests need it. Sit quietly for a few minutes before the sample; pain or stress can raise cortisol.
Tell us and your doctor about all steroid medicines, including tablets, injections, inhalers and skin creams. Some steroids react in the test, and others switch off natural production. Contraceptive pills and pregnancy raise total cortisol by increasing its carrier protein. Don't stop steroids on your own; stopping suddenly can be dangerous. If you work nights, mention it, because your body clock is shifted.
Sample type and report time
A single serum sample. The report is usually ready the same day or next day. If you need a cortisol test near me in Banur, you can walk in from 7:00 am or book home sample collection at the time your doctor asked for.
Understanding your results
Morning ranges and evening ranges are different, and the range printed on your report is the one that applies, because ranges vary by lab and method.
A low morning cortisol can be associated with adrenal insufficiency, either from the adrenals themselves or from the pituitary, or with recent steroid use. A high result is common with stress, acute illness, pregnancy or the pill, so a single high value doesn't confirm Cushing's syndrome. Doctors use special tests such as an overnight dexamethasone suppression test, late-night cortisol or a 24-hour urine collection to sort this out. Your doctor reads the result alongside your symptoms and other tests.
FAQ
Why does the time of my cortisol sample matter so much?
Cortisol can be several times higher at 8 am than at night. The report needs the time to be compared with the right range.
My doctor wants a sample after a dexamethasone tablet. How does that work?
You take the tablet at night as instructed, usually around 11 pm, and come in the next morning around 8 am for the blood sample.
Can stress before the test change the result?
Yes. Rushing or anxiety can raise it a little, which is why we ask you to sit and rest first.
Can I have a cortisol test while on prednisolone?
Tell your doctor and us. Prednisolone can read as cortisol in some tests and also lowers your own production.
Book at Alpha Laboratory
Book your cortisol test on 8872524007, or WhatsApp us the time your doctor wrote on the slip. Directions are on the contact page. Call or WhatsApp for the current price.