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Hair Cortisol Test for Addisons
Concerned about Addison’s disease? Detect low cortisol and underlying adrenal conditions early with our 3-month Cortisol Over Time (COT) test.
Fast, accurate, and non-invasive, our test provides the most comprehensive measure of your cortisol levels, aiding in the early detection of Addison’s disease and chronic stress.
If you have been diagnosed with Addison’s disease then this test can help you to manage your cortisol levels and future risk of illness. Take control of your health today.
No blood. No needles.
Quick and easy collection with fast results
FREE UK postage
No need for repeated samples
Clinically proven with expert support
| Cortisol Stress Test | £169.00 £126.75 |
About This Test
Sample method: Hair
Cortigenix’s Cortisol Over Time (COT) test is a low cortisol test that measures your cortisol levels over the past 3-months.
This stress hormone cortisol 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 low cortisol test because unlike blood, saliva and urine tests which measure short-term cortisol levels, this stress hormone cortisol 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 low cortisol test?
You should take this low cortisol test if you want to check whether chronic stress may be impacting your physical health or to help detect an underlying adrenal condition. Take this test if:
- You are experiencing chronic stress
- You have any of the signs and symptoms of cortisol imbalance
- Feeing constantly tired
- You are experiencing signs and symptoms of Addisons Disease
- You are trying to conceive
- You have recurrent infections and want to check immune function
- You want to improve your brain health
How is this low cortisol test different to other cortisol tests?
This stress hormone cortisol 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 testing cortisol for stress:
Long-term measurement: Testing cortisol levels for stress is difficult using blood, saliva and urine. These tests only provide a ‘snapshot’ of cortisol levels at the time of testing or over a 24-hour period. Whereas our low cortisol test measures cortisol levels in hair which provides a measure of cortisol levels over a period of several months.
Cortisol levels change minute-by-minute and from day-to-day: Your cortisol levels can change minute-by-minute from day-to-day. This means that a traditional low cortisol test using blood, saliva and urine can provide different results on different days leading to misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis. This is why our test measures your average cortisol levels over 3-months.
More accurate than blood, saliva and urine cortisol tests: Cortisol levels in hair have been shown to be the most accurate way for testing cortisol levels for stress. 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.
Less invasive: A low cortisol test that uses blood can be uncomfortable or even painful for some people. Collecting a hair sample is less invasive and completely painless.
After years of unexplained symptoms, I was diagnosed with Addison's disease. This test was invaluable in helping me get further investigations and manage my condition. It's easy to use, and the results are reliable. I highly recommend it to anyone dealing with adrenal issues.
R Wilkins
Living with Addison's disease is challenging, but this test has been a game-changer for me. Being able to monitor my cortisol levels at home gives me peace of mind and empowers me to take control of my health. It's a must-have tool for anyone managing this condition.
D Woodhouse
How it works
We make finding out simple. No blood. No needles. All from home. We just need a small sample of your hair!
Step 1
Buy your test
Step 2
Prepare your hair sample
Step 3
Send your sample to us
Step 4
Get your results
Still have questions?
What is cortisol?
Cortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone often called the ‘stress hormone’ because of it’s role in helping the body respond to stress.
Cortisol has many vital roles and regulates a wide range of processes throughout the body. Cortisol regulates the immune system, reproductive functions, metabolism, helps to maintain brain health, and regulates blood pressure.
Every cell and system in the body has receptors for cortisol so the effects of cortisol on health are far reaching depending on the cells, tissues and systems cortisol is acting upon.
Is your test available worldwide?
Yes. We ship globally and you can order our cortisol test from 170 countries worldwide.
What is the science behind Cortigenix’s cortisol test?
Our cortisol test has been independently validated based on data from thousands of research participants. Our research partners include the University of Nottingham, University of Auckland and Kings College London.
Why is it necessary to measure cortisol over 3-months?
Measuring cortisol levels over 3-months is necessary because cortisol levels fluctuate and can change minute-by-minute and day-by-day. If you have had a ‘low’ or ‘high’ cortisol level in the past it is possible your result may be due to a temporary spike in cortisol levels due to acute stress, the time of day you took your samples or simply down to a ‘bad day’.
To get an accurate measurement of chronic stress and adrenal function we have to measure cortisol function over time (i.e., several months).
This is similar to a HbA1c test that measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 3 months and is commonly used to diagnose and manage diabetes.
Cortigenix’s Cortisol Over Time (COT) test measures average cortisol levels over the past 3 months to provide a clear and accurate assessment of your cortisol levels.
Why does this test use hair to test cortisol levels?
The science is clear that hair is the most accurate way to measure cortisol levels over time. Blood, saliva and urine cortisol tests only provide a short-term snapshot of cortisol over minutes to hours.
This is a problem because cortisol levels fluctuate and can change minute-by-minute and day-by-day. Therefore ‘low’ or ‘high’ cortisol level may be due to a temporary change or spike in cortisol levels due to acute stress, the time of day you took your samples or simply down to a ‘bad day’.
By using hair we are able to measure your average cortisol levels over 3-months without the need for repeated samples which are more time-consuming and more expensive.
This is similar to a HbA1c test that measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 3 months and is commonly used to diagnose and manage diabetes.
How much hair do I need to provide?
You will need to provide a small hair sample from your head using scissors. The minimum amount of hair we need is 1cm in length and around 8-10 strands of hair in thickness (2-3 mm).
Where should I take my hair sample from?
We recommend taking a sample from the back of your head near to the ‘cranial bone’ (this is the bump you can feel at the back of your head).
Will any hair bleaching and hair treatments impact my results?
No, Hair samples are stripped of any contaminants before being analysed.
How are my results delivered?
Your results will be delivered through your personalised dashboard within 10 working days. We will notify you via email when your results are ready.
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