Cortisol (morning)
A low/high level indicates an adrenal disorder; the morning sample is important.
| Rating | Range |
|---|---|
| Talk to a doctor | below 150 nmol/L |
| Worth improving | 150 – 300 nmol/L |
| Good | 300 – 540 nmol/L |
| Worth improving | 540 nmol/L and above |
This marker also has 2 age- or sex-specific range sets in the app — the table shows the general one.
Why it matters
A low/high level indicates an adrenal disorder; the morning sample is important.
If it’s low
Low morning cortisol may indicate adrenal insufficiency — severe fatigue, low blood pressure, weight loss, nausea; urgent in a crisis.
If it’s high
High morning cortisol can accompany stress or a disease with cortisol excess (Cushing) — weight gain (trunk), high blood pressure/sugar, thinning skin.
What to do
Measure cortisol in the morning (~8 h). On its own it is not a lifestyle marker; an abnormality needs targeted hormonal work-up. Stress management helps with a mild, situational rise.
Read together with
Fasting glucose · Sodium · Potassium
Part of the guide: Hormones →
Articles about this marker
- How to prepare for a blood test — fasting or not, water, coffee, medication, exercisePreparing for a blood test
- Unexplained weight gain: what to really check in your bloodSymptom → test
This content is for information only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk to your doctor about your results.
Your number, not the average
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