Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, which are located on top of the kidneys. It is normally released in response to events and circumstances such as waking up in the morning, exercising, and acute stress.

In the Dutch test there are 4 individual free cortisol readings that were measured at different times throughout one day:

- Cortisol A (Waking)

- Cortisol B (Morning)

- Cortisol C (Afternoon)

- Cortisol D (Night)

When you are looking at Cortisol A (Waking) it is essential to also look at Cortisol B (Morning). The difference between those 2 cortisol samples is called the cortisol awakening response (or CAR). 

An elevated CAR would mean that the difference between those 2 markers is really big.

Different possible reasons for an elevated CAR:

- an overactive HPA axis (=plays an important role in the stress response), ongoing job-related stress (anticipatory stress for the day)

- blood sugar dysregulation

- pain (i.e. waking with painful joints or a migraine), 

- and general depression (not Seasonal affective disorder/”winter depression”)

Neither the waking nor post-waking cortisol results correlated to Major Depressive Disorder, but the CAR calculation (the change between the first two samples) does. So this means that if your morning free cortisol reading spikes up high first thing in the morning, there is something to look at. Is there an overactivity to stress? Are you anticipating a stressful day at work? If your morning free cortisol levels are high, this can be due to stress or anticipating stress. 

Cortisol is a stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands and is the primary agent used in our body’s flight or fight response to threatening stimuli.

The "Cortisol Awakening Response, Percent Increase" (CAR) is a crucial marker measured in the 4300 Adrenocortex Stress Profile - Saliva test by Genova Diagnostics. This test assesses how your cortisol levels change shortly after you wake up in the morning. Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that plays a vital role in managing stress, maintaining energy levels, and regulating various body functions. Normally, cortisol levels rise sharply within the first 30 to 45 minutes after waking up, a phenomenon known as the cortisol awakening response. The CAR, expressed as a percent increase, helps to gauge the responsiveness of your adrenal glands and their ability to produce cortisol in response to the anticipation of the day's demands.

Normally, cortisol levels rise within 10 to 30 minutes of waking to help boost energy levels and then drop throughout the day. This is known as the cortisol awakening response (CAR).

This is the 2nd cortisol sample of the day. Usually measured 30 to 60 minutes after waking. 

Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, which are located on top of the kidneys. It is normally released in response to events and circumstances such as waking up in the morning, exercising, and acute stress.

In the Dutch test there are 4 individual free cortisol readings that were measured at different times throughout one day:

- Cortisol A (Waking)

- Cortisol B (Morning)

- Cortisol C (Afternoon)

- Cortisol D (Night)

When you are looking at Cortisol B (Morning) it is essential to also look at Cortisol A (Waking). The difference between those 2 cortisol samples is called the cortisol awakening response (or CAR). 

An elevated CAR would mean that the difference between those 2 markers is really big.

Different possible reasons for an elevated CAR:

- an overactive HPA axis (=plays an important role in the stress response), ongoing job-related stress (anticipatory stress for the day)

- blood sugar dysregulation

- pain (i.e. waking with painful joints or a migraine), 

- and general depression (not Seasonal affective disorder/”winter depression”)

Neither the waking nor post-waking cortisol results correlated to Major Depressive Disorder, but the CAR calculation (the change between the first two samples) does. So this means that if your morning free cortisol reading spikes up high first thing in the morning, there is something to look at. Is there an overactivity to stress? Are you anticipating a stressful day at work? If your morning free cortisol levels are high, this can be due to stress or anticipating stress. 

Cortisol Baseline (pre-injection) refers to the initial cortisol level measured in the blood before administering synthetic ACTH (Cosyntropin) as part of the ACTH stimulation test, which evaluates adrenal gland function. Cortisol is a vital hormone produced by the adrenal glands that helps regulate stress response, blood sugar, inflammation, metabolism, and blood pressure. Measuring the baseline cortisol level provides a reference point to assess how well the adrenal glands are functioning at rest and to compare with cortisol levels after stimulation. A low baseline cortisol level may indicate primary adrenal insufficiency (such as Addison’s disease), secondary adrenal insufficiency due to pituitary dysfunction, or recent corticosteroid use that suppresses natural cortisol production. Conversely, a high baseline cortisol level may suggest Cushing’s syndrome, acute stress, chronic illness, or excessive use of corticosteroid medications. The test is typically performed in the morning when cortisol is naturally at its peak, using a serum blood sample collected before the Cosyntropin injection. This baseline measurement is critical for identifying hormone imbalances and determining whether further endocrine evaluation or treatment is needed.

Cortisol is the main glucocorticoid released from the adrenal gland in response to stress. High levels of cortisol have been reported in cases of Cushing’s disease, malnutrition, early life stress, hypothyroidism, depression, alcoholism, obesity, and critical illness. Additionally, exogenous exposure to glucocorticoids prior to testing may be a source of cortisol elevations.

The Cortisol Bedtime marker is a critical indicator in endocrinology, representing the level of cortisol in the body at bedtime. Cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, is central to various physiological processes, including stress response, metabolism, and immune system regulation. In a healthy individual, cortisol levels exhibit a diurnal rhythm: they peak in the early morning and gradually decline throughout the day, reaching their lowest point at night. This natural rhythm is essential for numerous bodily functions, such as regulating the sleep-wake cycle, managing blood sugar levels, and maintaining overall energy balance.

This is the 3rd cortisol sample of the day. Usually measured in the afternoon. 

Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, which are located on top of the kidneys. It is normally released in response to events and circumstances such as waking up in the morning, exercising, and acute stress.

In the Dutch test there are 4 individual free cortisol readings that were measured at different times throughout one day:

- Cortisol A (Waking)

- Cortisol B (Morning)

- Cortisol C (Afternoon)

- Cortisol D (Night)

This is the 4th cortisol sample of the day (=evening/night).

Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, which are located on top of the kidneys. It is normally released in response to events and circumstances such as waking up in the morning, exercising, and acute stress.

In the Dutch test there are 4 individual free cortisol readings that were measured at different times throughout one day:

- Cortisol A (Waking)

- Cortisol B (Morning)

- Cortisol C (Afternoon)

- Cortisol D (Night)

Cortisol is the main glucocorticoid released from the adrenal gland in response to stress. High levels of cortisol have been reported in cases of Cushing’s disease, malnutrition, early life stress, hypothyroidism, depression, alcoholism, obesity, and critical illness. Additionally, exogenous exposure to glucocorticoids prior to testing may be a source of cortisol elevations.

Cortisol, often referred to as the "stress hormone," plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, including metabolism, immune response, and the body's response to stress. The Cortisol Dinnertime marker, a specific measure of cortisol levels in the body during the evening, is an important indicator in understanding the body's endocrine function and stress response. Typically, cortisol levels follow a diurnal rhythm, peaking in the early morning shortly after waking and gradually declining throughout the day to reach their lowest point during the late evening or night. This pattern is essential for regulating various physiological processes, including the sleep-wake cycle, blood sugar levels, and energy metabolism.

This is the 3rd cortisol sample of the day. Usually measured in the evening. 

Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, which are located on top of the kidneys. It is normally released in response to events and circumstances such as waking up in the morning, exercising, and acute stress.

This is the 4th cortisol sample of the day (=night).

Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, which are located on top of the kidneys. It is normally released in response to events and circumstances such as waking up in the morning, exercising, and acute stress.

Cortisol is a stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands and is the primary agent used in our body’s flight or fight response to threatening stimuli.

Cortisol, a glucocorticoid hormone synthesized from cholesterol in the adrenal cortex, plays a pivotal role in the human body's response to stress, metabolism regulation, immune response modulation, and maintenance of homeostasis. The "Cortisol Profile, Afternoon" specifically refers to the measurement of cortisol levels during the afternoon hours, a critical time point given cortisol's diurnal variation. Typically, cortisol levels peak in the early morning, shortly after waking, and decline throughout the day to reach their lowest levels at midnight. However, the afternoon cortisol levels are not merely an intermediate point in this daily cycle; they provide valuable insights into an individual's adrenal function and stress response.

The marker "Cortisol Profile, Evening" refers to the measurement of cortisol levels in the body during the evening hours, typically reflecting the end-of-day physiological status of an individual's hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function. Cortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex, playing a pivotal role in stress response, metabolism regulation, immune response modulation, and circadian rhythm maintenance. In a healthy individual, cortisol levels exhibit diurnal variation—peaking in the early morning shortly after awakening and declining throughout the day to reach its lowest level at night.

The cortisol profile, particularly measurements taken at midday, provides significant insights into the diurnal pattern of cortisol secretion, which is critical for assessing adrenal gland function and the body's response to stress. Cortisol, a glucocorticoid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex, plays a pivotal role in glucose metabolism, immune response regulation, and stress response. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis governs its production, with cortisol levels exhibiting a diurnal rhythm—peaking in the early morning hours shortly after awakening and declining throughout the day to reach their lowest levels at night. Midday cortisol levels, therefore, offer a snapshot of the descending limb of this diurnal curve and can be indicative of alterations in HPA axis activity.

The cortisol profile, specifically Total Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR), is a critical marker in the scientific understanding of stress response and adrenal function in humans. Cortisol, a glucocorticoid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex, plays a pivotal role in various physiological processes, including metabolism regulation, immune response modulation, and stress response. The Total CAR refers to the overall increase in cortisol concentration within the first 30 to 45 minutes after awakening. This response is a dynamic indicator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functionality, providing insights into an individual's stress reactivity and resilience.