Cortisol (Serum)

Hormone Unit: ug/dL

Primary stress hormone; follows diurnal rhythm

Also known as: AM Cortisol

Reference Ranges

Clinical Reference 6.2 – 19.4 ug/dL

Optimal Range 10.0 – 18.0 ug/dL

Critical Range < 3.0 / > 50.0 ug/dL

Morning sample (7-10am)

Cushings Syndrome High

Chronic Stress High

Addisons Disease Low

Adrenal Insufficiency Low

🍎 Food Avoid late-night caffeine; stabilize blood sugar with balanced meals Caffeine and hypoglycemia spike cortisol

🍎 Food Eat regular meals with adequate salt and protein; support adrenal function Stabilizes fuel for adrenal output

🏃 Exercise Moderate exercise daily; avoid excessive endurance training (raises cortisol chronically) Exercise dose matters

🏃 Exercise Gentle exercise (walking, yoga); avoid overtraining which worsens adrenal output Low cortisol requires restorative movement

😴 Sleep Consistent sleep schedule 10pm-6am; cortisol rhythm needs anchored sleep times Circadian cortisol regulation

🧘 Stress Daily meditation/breathwork (10-20 min); reduces cortisol by 15-25% in RCTs Well-documented stress-reduction effects

Should we do a 24-hr urine cortisol or dexamethasone suppression test? Rules out Cushing's
Could this be stress-related or indicate an underlying disorder? Distinguish functional from pathologic
Should we test ACTH and do a stimulation test for Addison's? Essential adrenal workup

Upload your blood test to see how your Cortisol (Serum) compares to reference and optimal ranges.