What are the different methods of cortisol testing?

cortisol is the hormone produced by the adrenal glands. These glands are located just above each kidney and are responsible for regulating blood pressure and body response to stress. The renal glands are also responsible for sexual development and reproductive health. If there is cortisol imbalance, some of these functions may be negatively affected. Cortisol testing is a relatively simple way to find out whether there is an imbalance concerning this hormone and can be carried out procedures for blood, urine or saliva testing. It is common to leave this test run twice in one day, with one sample of blood being taken in the morning and the other afternoon. Naturally, cortisol levels are fluctuating during the day, so having these two blood samples can help physicians to determine whether hormones fluctuate adequately.

Cortisol testing by using numbers has become a more popular choice for many patients. With this procedure, everything that the patient must do must spit into a tube. Instead of twice de deThe blood test must be measured four times during the day during saliva testing. The patient usually performs this test at home and then sends the test tube to the analysis laboratory.

Urine use as cortisol forms is another possible method. A 24 -hour urine sample is required for this test. The patient will have a container to take home and use to collect urine. The container is usually kept in the refrigerator during the collection period. As soon as it expires 24 hours, the patient returns the container to the previously directed place for testing.

It is important to let the physician know what medicines are taken prior to cortisol testing, as some Medidations can cause inaccurate results. Patients are often asked to avoid any type of strenuous exercise throughout the day before cortisol testing. Lighting and relaxing just before the test will often help the test results to be more accurate. In cf.There is a certain degree of controversy about the efficacy of saliva or testing of urine cortisol. Therefore, many doctors prefer to use traditional blood tests instead of using a procedure that may be more comfortable for the patient.