Limited Time Offer – Save 25%
At-home hair cortisol test
A blood test tells you where your cortisol is right now. Hair testing tells you where it's been for the past three months — a reliable, averaged picture that a single sample never can give you.
Order your test – £126.75Free UK postage • Results in 10 working days • No needles
Choose what fits you best — it's the same clinically-validated test, with guidance tailored to your reason for testing.
Not sure? Help me choose ›
Why hair testing is different
Cortisol fluctuates constantly — peaking in the morning, spiking with stress, dropping at night. A blood or saliva test taken on a calm Tuesday will show something completely different to one taken on a difficult Friday. Neither tells you what your cortisol is actually doing to your body over time.
As hair grows, it incorporates cortisol from your bloodstream — roughly 1cm per month. Analysing the section closest to the scalp gives you a precise, unaffected average over three months. It's the same principle as an HbA1c test for blood sugar: one measurement that reflects sustained exposure, not a single day.
See the full comparison ›Other cortisol tests only measure where your cortisol sits at a single moment. But cortisol changes minute by minute — which is why a one-off blood test can miss the full picture. Hair cortisol testing works like an HbA1c for blood sugar: it gives you a reliable average over three months, not just a snapshot of today.
| Feature | Hair test Cortigenix | Blood test | Saliva test | Urine test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measures cortisol over 3 months | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Single sample — no repeat testing needed | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Unaffected by acute stress on test day | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Detects chronic (long-term) cortisol patterns | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| No needles or clinic visit required | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Suitable for at-home self-collection | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Results unaffected by time of day | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Validated by peer-reviewed research | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Useful for diagnosing adrenal conditions | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
Order your hair cortisol test – £126.75 RRP £169.00 — save 25%
From order to results in four simple steps. Everything by post, all from home.
Order online
Free shipping on all UK orders. Available worldwide to 170+ countries.
Collect your sample
Register your kit, take a small hair sample at home using the enclosed instructions, and post it back using the prepaid envelope provided.
Laboratory analysis
Your sample is processed at our accredited lab. Confidential results are available in your secure portal within 10 working days.
Expert support
If your results are outside the normal range, our cortisol specialists are available to discuss findings and next steps.
Led by research
Independently validated with data from thousands of participants. Research partners include University of Nottingham, University of Auckland, and King's College London.
Data security
Registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). Your health data is processed to the highest standards.
Quality assured
Test kits developed to ISO 9001, ISO 14000, and BRC/IOP global standards. Laboratory accredited to ISO 17025.
“Thanks to Cortigenix I was able to catch it earlier in my life.”
Jack
“I wanted to take my health into my own hands. It's given me real peace of mind.”
Mel
“Really easy, no needles, and results that actually made sense. Can't recommend enough.”
Derek
“We both got checked and have changed our lifestyles for the better.”
Jamie and Helen
