Reviewed: 13. Juli 2026
Cortisol Cortisol
Unit: µg/dl
Quick Explanation
Cortisol is the adrenal gland's most important stress hormone and follows a daily rhythm with the highest values in the morning. Persistently elevated values can indicate chronic stress or adrenal overactivity, low values can indicate underactivity.
📊 Reference Values
ℹ️ Reference ranges may vary slightly between laboratories. Always compare your value with the reference range from your own lab report.
🔍 Possible Causes
Value too high — possible causes
- ·Chronic stress
- ·Cushing's syndrome
- ·Corticosteroid therapy
Value too low — possible causes
- ·Adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease)
- ·Pituitary gland disorder
- ·Sudden discontinuation of corticosteroid therapy
This list shows possible causes — not a diagnosis. Only your doctor can correctly interpret your result.
🩺 Questions for Your Doctor
- →Does my cortisol value match the time of day the blood was drawn?
- →Should ACTH also be measured?
Have a complete lab report?
Medyra explains your entire lab report in plain language and prepares questions for your doctor appointment — free, in your language, in under 60 seconds.
Start for free →🔗 Related Lab Values
Medical Disclaimer
The content on this page is for general information only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for health-related questions. Lab values should always be assessed in the context of your personal medical history.