Cortisol Addison’s Test

---

About This Test

Sample method: Hair

Cortigenix’s Cortisol Over Time (COT) test is a screening test that measures your cortisol levels over the past 3-months.

This test can be used to rule out underlying adrenal problems such as Addison’s Disease and provide a clear picture of how your cortisol levels may be impacting your health and future risk of illness.

What to know

A hair sample is used for this test because unlike blood, saliva and urine tests which measure short-term cortisol levels, this test measures your cortisol levels over the past 3-months.

You will need to provide a hair sample that is a minimum 1cm in length.

We will send you your home collection kit with easy-to-follow instructions so that you can take your sample from home.

Symptoms of low cortisol levels

Addison’s disease can be difficult to detect because early symptoms are similar to those of many other conditions. You may not show all symptoms.

• Chronic fatigue
• Feeling tired and drowsy
• Loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss
• Dizziness when standing
• Low blood pressure
• Patches of skin that are darker than the surrounding skin
• Craving salty foods
• Feeling sick
• Low mood
• A frequent need to pee
• Increased thirst
• Headaches
• Brain Fog
• Muscle weakeness with cramps
• Abdominal pain
• A higher temperature
• Irregular periods
• Low blood pressure

---

Who should take the test

You should take this test if you want to check your cortisol levels or detect an underlying adrenal condition. Take this test if:

• You have any of the signs and symptoms of low cortisol
• You have Addison’s disease and would like to monitor your cortisol levels over time
• You want to manage how your lifestyle may be impacting on your cortisol levels
• You are feeling stressed

---

How is this test different to other cortisol tests?

Cortigenix’s Cortisol Over Time (COT) test measures your long-term average cortisol levels over the past 3 months. This test is different to ‘acute’ blood, saliva and urine tests, which only measure your short-term cortisol levels over minutes to hours.

Here are some important things you should know:

Chronic long-term measurement: Hair cortisol levels reflect cortisol production over the past 3-months providing a comprehensive overview of adrenal function. This is particularly useful for people that have signs and symptoms of Addison’s Disease or would like to manage their condition better.

Helps prevent misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis of Addison’s disease: Cortisol levels can change from minute-by-minute and from day-to-day which means that your results can vary on different days, which can lead to misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis of Addison’s disease. Cortigenix’s Cortisol Over Time (COT) test measures your average cortisol levels over the past 3-months. This is a more accurate way of checking your cortisol levels.

Non-invasive testing: Unlike blood tests, which may require multiple samples and can be uncomfortable Cortigenix’s cortisol test is non-invasive and only requires a small hair sample.

Cortisol monitoring: By tracking changes in hair cortisol levels over time you can help to identify lifestyle factors that may be impacting on your cortisol levels and reduce your risk of an adrenal crisis or other health problems.

More accurate than blood, saliva and urine cortisol tests: Hair is the most accurate way to measure cortisol over time. Cortisol levels in blood, saliva and urine can be influenced by a variety of factors, including acute stress, physical activity, and medications, whereas cortisol levels in hair reflect a more stable measure of long-term cortisol exposure.

---

---

How it works

We make finding out simple. No blood. No needles. All from home. We just need a small sample of your hair!

---

Frequently asked questions