Cortisol

What Does This Test Check?

These tests measure cortisol, the main stress hormone, at a set time of day to give a read on how your stress and energy systems are responding.

Two providers are listed, Forth at £41 as a home blood test kit and Medichecks at £45 timed for a 9am sample. Forth is the cheaper and home-based option, while Medichecks is only slightly more, so the choice is mainly about price and sampling preference.

One cortisol reading may indicate the level at a single moment, but it can fluctuate through the day and does not stand alone, so the result should be interpreted by a GP before any conclusions are drawn.