Book Cortisol Test in Bardhaman

The Cortisol test is a blood test that measures the level of cortisol, the body's primary stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands located above each kidney. Cortisol is essential for regulating metabolism, blood sugar, blood pressure, immune response, and the body's reaction to physical and psychological stress. Its production follows a diurnal rhythm, peaking in the early morning between 6 and 8 AM and falling to its lowest levels late at night, which is why timing of sample collection is critically important for accurate interpretation. When the adrenal glands produce too much or too little cortisol, serious hormonal disorders result. Excess cortisol causes Cushing's syndrome, characterised by weight gain around the abdomen and face, stretch marks, easy bruising, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Insufficient cortisol production causes Addison's disease or adrenal insufficiency, presenting with chronic fatigue, weight loss, low blood pressure, and dangerous adrenal crises during illness or stress. In India, cortisol disorders are frequently underdiagnosed due to their gradual and non-specific symptom onset. Beyond adrenal disorders, cortisol measurement is also essential in evaluating chronic stress, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction, and patients on long-term steroid therapy. The test involves a simple blood draw completed in under five minutes.

Doctors prescribe a Cortisol test in the following situations: Investigating Cushing's syndrome in patients with central obesity, moon face, buffalo hump, purple stretch marks, easy bruising, hypertension, and diabetes where a persistently elevated morning cortisol is the first step in confirming cortisol excess. Diagnosing Addison's disease or primary adrenal insufficiency in patients with unexplained chronic fatigue, weight loss, low blood pressure, hyperpigmentation of the skin, salt craving, and recurrent episodes of dizziness or near-syncope. Evaluating secondary adrenal insufficiency caused by pituitary or hypothalamic dysfunction where cortisol production is inadequate due to insufficient ACTH stimulation rather than primary adrenal gland failure. Monitoring patients on long-term corticosteroid therapy including prednisolone, dexamethasone, and hydrocortisone for conditions such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease where exogenous steroids suppress the body's own cortisol production. Investigating hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction in patients with unexplained fatigue, mood disorders, insomnia, and poor stress tolerance where cortisol dysregulation is a recognised contributing factor. Evaluating adrenal tumours including adrenal adenomas and adrenocortical carcinomas where autonomous cortisol secretion independent of normal pituitary control causes suppressed ACTH alongside elevated cortisol. Assessing patients with recurrent hypoglycaemia, particularly in children, where cortisol deficiency is one of the hormonal causes of low blood sugar requiring exclusion.

The Cortisol test measures the concentration of total serum cortisol in the blood, reported in micrograms per decilitre (mcg/dL) or nanomoles per litre (nmol/L). Normal Cortisol Range in India Cortisol levels are highly time-dependent. The standard reference ranges used across most Indian diagnostic laboratories are as follows. Morning cortisol collected between 6 and 10 AM: normal range is 6 to 23 mcg/dL. Evening cortisol collected between 4 and 8 PM: normal range is 2 to 11 mcg/dL. A morning cortisol below 3 mcg/dL is strongly suggestive of adrenal insufficiency and warrants urgent endocrinological evaluation. Interpreting Cortisol Results A morning cortisol consistently above 23 mcg/dL raises concern for cortisol excess and warrants further evaluation with a 24-hour urinary free cortisol, late night salivary cortisol, and low-dose dexamethasone suppression test to confirm or exclude Cushing's syndrome. A morning cortisol between 3 and 10 mcg/dL represents a borderline low result that is clinically indeterminate and typically requires a short Synacthen stimulation test to definitively assess adrenal reserve and confirm or exclude adrenal insufficiency. A morning cortisol below 3 mcg/dL is highly suggestive of adrenal insufficiency and requires urgent specialist evaluation, particularly if the patient is symptomatic with fatigue, low blood pressure, or hypoglycaemia.

The blood sample for cortisol must ideally be collected between 6 and 10 AM as cortisol follows a strict diurnal rhythm and is at its highest in the morning. A sample collected at the wrong time of day will produce a misleading result that cannot be accurately interpreted. Our team confirms preparation requirements and timing at the time of booking. Fasting for 8 hours before the test is recommended for the most accurate result. You may drink water normally during the fasting period. Inform the phlebotomist about all steroid medications you are currently taking including prednisolone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, inhaled corticosteroids, and topical steroids, as all forms of exogenous steroids suppress endogenous cortisol production and will significantly affect the result. Avoid physical and emotional stress before sample collection where possible, as acute stress raises cortisol levels transiently and can produce a misleadingly elevated result. Stay normally hydrated before sample collection.

If you are booking through SecondMedic platform the Cortisol test price in Bardhaman can cost you around Rs. 600. The exact price for your Cortisol test in Bardhaman will be confirmed at the time of booking through SecondMedic. If your doctor has prescribed multiple tests alongside Cortisol, SecondMedic health packages available in Bardhaman include Cortisol as part of a broader adrenal function or endocrine panel at a significantly lower combined price.

SecondMedic provides home sample collection for Cortisol test across all major areas of Bardhaman. You do not need to visit a lab or collection centre. A certified and trained phlebotomist comes to your home or workplace at your chosen time, collects the sample using sterile single-use equipment, and ensures it is transported to the NABL-accredited lab within the required time window for accurate processing. Please note that SecondMedic provides free home sample collection on all tests priced above Rs. 300. Our team will check your pincode and confirm if your address in Bardhaman falls under our free sample collection eligibility criteria, which depends upon the lab location and phlebotomist availability. Home collection in Bardhaman is available between 7 AM and 10 PM, seven days a week, including Sundays and public holidays. Enter your pincode on the booking page or call our helpline to confirm availability at your address in Bardhaman.