Cortisol Stress Test

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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 measure adrenal performance and get a clear picture of how of chronic stress 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.

Signs and symptoms of high cortisol and Cushing’s Syndrome

Cushings syndrome is a condition caused by having too much cortisol in your body. Symptoms of Cushing’s can be difficult to detect because early symptoms are similar to those of many other conditions. You may not show all symptoms.

• Chronic fatigue
• Headaches
• Depression
• Brain fog
• Anxiety
• Excess fat ‘cortisol belly’
• Low energy
• Puffy rounded face
• Recurrent illness
• Skin problems
• Difficulty conceiving
• Memory problems
• Weight loss and decreased appetite
• Darkening of your skin (hyperpigmentation)
• Low or high blood pressure
• Salt craving
• Difficulty sleeping
• Low blood sugar
• Nausea, diarrhoea or vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Muscle or joint pains
• Irregular periods
• Sexual dysfunction

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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 cortisol imbalance
• You are feeling stressed
• Feeing constantly tired
• You have Addison’s disease
• You have Cushing's syndrome
• You are trying to conceive
• You have recurrent infections and want to check immune function
• You want to improve your brain health

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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:

Long-term measurement: Cortisol levels in blood, saliva and urine only provide a ‘snapshot’ of cortisol levels at the time of testing or over a 24-hour period, whereas cortisol levels in hair provide a measure of cortisol levels over a period of several months. This is because cortisol becomes incorporated into hair as it grows, providing a long-term record of cortisol exposure.

Cortisol levels change minute-by-minute and from day-to-day: Cortisol levels vary throughout the day due to a natural diurnal rhythm with levels peaking in the morning and decreasing throughout the day. Depending on the type of test this usually means that several repeated samples are required throughout the day. At best, blood, saliva and urine cortisol tests only provide a measure of cortisol over minutes to hours.

Cortisol levels also change from day-to-day which means that your results can be different on different days which can lead to misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis. This is why Cortigenix’s Cortisol Over Time (COT) 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 to measure cortisol. 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: Testing for cortisol levels in blood can be uncomfortable or even painful for some people. Collecting a hair sample is less invasive and completely painless.

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As a busy professional, stress is a constant in my life. I suspected it was affecting my health, and this test confirmed it. Armed with knowledge about my cortisol levels, I've been able to make small changes to my routine that have had a big impact on my overall well-being. Dashboard is very detailed and informative.

S Dallaway

I've been struggling with fatigue and mood swings for ages, but doctors couldn't pinpoint the cause. After taking Cortigenix’s Cortisol Test, I finally had answers. Turns out, my cortisol levels were out of whack. With targeted support and guidance, I'm feeling more like myself again. Highly recommend getting tested with Cortigenix if you are looking to combat chronic stress.

M Perry

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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

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Frequently asked questions

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How does the COT test track my inner health over time?

We use your 'lifestyle hormone' cortisol to see what's been happening inside your body over several months. Your cortisol levels accumulate in your hair as it grows - each 1cm of hair growth provides one month's worth of cortisol. This enables you to understand what's been going on inside your body over several months, and not just a snapshot.

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What makes Cortigenix's technology unique?

Our unique COT test is the only test in the world developed by independent scientists to assess your cortisol levels over several months. By tracking your cortisol levels over 84 days our test provides up to 42x more insight in to your inner health compared to traditional blood and saliva tests - which can only assess cortisol levels over minutes to hours. Which means that traditional blood and saliva tests do not provide an accurate picture of how your cortisol levels are impacting your long term health.

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How do I provide a sample?

Your hair sample is taken from the back of your head. You need a minimum of 1cm of hair in length (roughly half a pencil width in thickness) to provide a sample. Your COT test includes a test tube, a hair tie and a return envelope for you to return your sample to us.

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How are my results delivered?

Your results will be delivered through your personalised portal within 7-10 working days. We will notify you via email when your results are ready.