Cortisol in Blood

Free Cortisol Test, Hydrocortisone Test

What Affects the Test

Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:

• Having physical or emotional stress.
• Being pregnant. This can cause urine cortisol levels to be high.
• Having low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
• Eating, drinking, or exercising before the test.
• Taking medicines, such as birth control pills, estrogen, amphetamines or corticosteroids.
• Having a radioactive scan within 1 week of a cortisol test.

Go to previous section	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: November 30, 2006
Medical Review:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Hanan Bassyouni, MD - Endocrinology and Metabolism Alan C. Dalkin, MD - Endocrinology
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.