{"id":192247,"date":"2026-08-12T11:42:18","date_gmt":"2026-08-12T06:12:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.1mg.com\/articles\/?p=192247"},"modified":"2026-08-12T14:07:27","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T08:37:27","slug":"cortisol-test-normal-levels-types-and-timing-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.1mg.com\/articles\/cortisol-test-normal-levels-types-and-timing-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Cortisol Test: Normal Levels, Types and Timing Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-192277 size-full\" title=\"Cortisol Test Normal Levels: Types and Timing Guide\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1mg.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/magnific_a-south-asian-couple-dres_xSSswY1jfW.jpeg\" alt=\"Cortisol Test Normal Levels\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1mg.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/magnific_a-south-asian-couple-dres_xSSswY1jfW.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.1mg.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/magnific_a-south-asian-couple-dres_xSSswY1jfW-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.1mg.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/magnific_a-south-asian-couple-dres_xSSswY1jfW-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.1mg.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/magnific_a-south-asian-couple-dres_xSSswY1jfW-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.1mg.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/magnific_a-south-asian-couple-dres_xSSswY1jfW-150x100.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You got your cortisol report back, and the numbers make no sense. One line says &#8220;morning: 18 mcg\/dL&#8221;, another says &#8220;normal range varies by time,&#8221; and you&#8217;re left wondering if you should be worried at all. That confusion is exactly why understanding cortisol test normal levels matters more than just glancing at a &#8220;high&#8221; or &#8220;low&#8221; flag on a lab slip.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cortisol testing isn&#8217;t a one-size-fits-all blood draw. The type of test, the time it&#8217;s done, and even your body&#8217;s natural rhythm can all change what &#8220;normal&#8221; looks like for you. Let&#8217;s break it down in a simple, organized way, so you actually know what your report is telling you.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>A Quick Word on Cortisol First<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by your adrenal glands, which are two small glands sitting on top of your kidneys. It&#8217;s often called the &#8220;stress hormone&#8221;, but that&#8217;s only part of the story.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Cortisol also helps regulate:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Blood sugar and energy production<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Metabolism and fat storage<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Blood pressure<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Inflammation and immune activity<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sleep-wake cycles<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Memory and focus<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cortisol production is controlled by a communication chain called the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis [1]. Think of this as a step-by-step message system.<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Step<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>What Happens<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hypothalamus (brain)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sends the first signal, called CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone), telling the body to start making cortisol.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pituitary gland<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Receives the signal and releases ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), which carries the message to the adrenal glands.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adrenal gland<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Receive ACTH, produce and release cortisol, the body&#8217;s main stress hormone.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Feedback loop<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When enough cortisol is made, it signals the brain to slow down further production of cortisol.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Additionally, cortisol doesn&#8217;t sit at one level all day. It follows a daily rhythm, high in the early morning and low by night [1][4]. This is exactly why a cortisol test needs careful timing to mean anything at all.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Cortisol Test Types: Blood, Saliva or Urine?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There isn&#8217;t just one cortisol test. Doctors pick the type based on what they&#8217;re trying to rule out.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. Serum (Blood) Cortisol Test<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>Sample:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Blood draw, usually taken AM and PM<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>What it&#8217;s good for: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Standard first-line check of your daily cortisol rhythm [1]<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. Salivary Cortisol Test<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>Sample:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Saliva, collected at multiple points in a day<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>What it&#8217;s good for: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tracks free (active) cortisol and rhythm, often done at home [2]<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. 24-Hour Urinary Cortisol Test<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>Sample:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> All urine collected over 24 hours<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>What it&#8217;s good for: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Measures total daily output, useful for confirming Cushing syndrome<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>4. ACTH Stimulation Test<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>Sample: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Blood, drawn before and after a synthetic ACTH injection<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>What it&#8217;s good for: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Checks if your adrenal glands respond properly; used for suspected Addison&#8217;s disease [3]<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>5. Dexamethasone Suppression Test<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>Sample:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Blood, taken the morning after a bedtime steroid dose<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>What it&#8217;s good for: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Checks whether cortisol production can be &#8220;switched off&#8221; as expected; used for suspected Cushing syndrome [4]<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">However, saliva testing is less standardized between labs than blood testing, so results can vary more from one lab to another [2].<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1mg.com\/labs\/test\/1727?utm_source=Googlefeed&amp;utm_medium=Article&amp;utm_campaign=Cortisol_test\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><i>Curious about your cortisol levels? A morning cortisol test can help you get a clearer picture. Book your cortisol test with Tata 1mg.<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b>Cortisol Test Normal Levels: What Do The Numbers Mean?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This is where many people find it difficult to understand. Normal cortisol isn&#8217;t a single number; it&#8217;s a range that changes throughout the day [9][10].<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Time of Draw<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Typical Range (mcg\/dL)<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Typical Range (nmol\/L)<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>8 am<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">~5\u201325<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">~140\u2013690<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Around 4 pm<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">~3\u201310<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">~80\u2013280<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These ranges can differ slightly between labs, since assay methods aren&#8217;t fully standardized across the board. That&#8217;s why your report always lists the specific &#8220;reference range&#8221; used by that lab, rather than one universal number.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1mg.com\/articles\/supplements-to-lower-cortisol-what-science-says\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><i>Wondering if supplements can actually help keep cortisol in check? Read This- Supplements to Lower Cortisol: What Science Says and find out what the science says.<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b>How Cortisol Patterns Shift With Age<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cortisol regulation isn&#8217;t static across life. Research on aging and the HPA axis points to some general patterns [4]:<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Life stage<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>General pattern<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Children and teens<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Rhythm is still maturing; stress, sleep habits and growth can influence readings<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Adults<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Strongest, most predictable morning-high, night-low pattern<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Older adults<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Often show a flatter daily curve and comparatively higher evening cortisol, linked to reduced stress recovery [4]<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">However, healthy aging shouldn&#8217;t cause dramatically abnormal cortisol values on its own \u2013 a flatter rhythm is a pattern to discuss with your doctor, not a diagnosis by itself.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Do Cortisol Test Results Mean?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Once your results come back, your doctor will interpret them alongside your symptoms \u2013 but here&#8217;s a general idea of what abnormal values might indicate.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Causes of High Cortisol<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Long-term use of corticosteroid medications<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 steroid pills, injections, or high-dose inhalers taken for other conditions can push cortisol-related activity up<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>A pituitary tumor <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2013 most are adenomas that overproduce ACTH, which drives the adrenal glands to make excess cortisol; this is known as Cushing disease [4]<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>An adrenal tumor<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 a growth on the adrenal gland itself \u2013 can produce cortisol independently, without needing the usual ACTH signal [4]<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>A tumor elsewhere in the body<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 certain cancers, most notably small cell lung cancer, can secrete ACTH-like substances that trigger excess cortisol, a pattern called ectopic ACTH syndrome&#8217; [4].<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Causes of Low Cortisol<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Primary adrenal insufficiency<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 the adrenal glands themselves are damaged or underactive, often due to autoimmune destruction (Addison disease) [3]<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Secondary adrenal insufficiency <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2013 the pituitary gland isn&#8217;t producing enough ACTH to properly stimulate the adrenal glands [3]<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Tertiary adrenal insufficiency<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 reduced signaling from the hypothalamus, sometimes following abrupt withdrawal from long-term steroid use [3]<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">That said, an abnormal result on its own isn&#8217;t a diagnosis. Doctors typically follow up with imaging or a dynamic test, like the ACTH stimulation test or dexamethasone suppression test, to pin down the exact cause.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Can Throw Off Your Cortisol Test&#8217;s Normal Levels?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-192283 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1mg.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/magnific_a-serene-spring-morning-s_YMM0BfgWeC.jpeg\" alt=\"cortisol test triggers, \" width=\"1536\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1mg.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/magnific_a-serene-spring-morning-s_YMM0BfgWeC.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.1mg.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/magnific_a-serene-spring-morning-s_YMM0BfgWeC-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.1mg.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/magnific_a-serene-spring-morning-s_YMM0BfgWeC-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.1mg.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/magnific_a-serene-spring-morning-s_YMM0BfgWeC-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.1mg.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/magnific_a-serene-spring-morning-s_YMM0BfgWeC-150x100.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Several everyday factors can quietly skew your cortisol test normal levels, even before you reach the lab:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Stress and anxiety before the draw<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 a stressful blood draw itself can spike cortisol temporarily<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Sleep disruption<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 night-shift work or poor sleep the night before can flatten your natural rhythm<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Intense exercise \u2013 vigorous<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> activity close to testing time raises cortisol acutely<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Medications<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 steroid creams, inhalers, or oral steroids can all interfere with results<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Pregnancy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 cortisol-binding proteins rise in pregnancy, which naturally pushes total cortisol higher [1]<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Chronic, ongoing stress<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 this can flatten the normal peak-and-dip pattern altogether, a change some researchers link to broader health risks over time [8]<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Even so, a single &#8220;off&#8221; reading doesn&#8217;t automatically mean something&#8217;s wrong. That&#8217;s why doctors often repeat testing or add a dynamic test before reaching a diagnosis.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1mg.com\/articles\/simple-habits-to-boost-vitamin-d-and-lower-cortisol-levels-naturally\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><i>Want to support healthy cortisol levels naturally? Read this- Simple Habits to Boost Vitamin D and Lower Cortisol Levels Naturally<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b>FAQs<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>Q1: Does a cortisol blood test require fasting?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You don&#8217;t need to fast for this test. Cortisol levels vary throughout the day but are usually highest in the morning and lowest in the evening<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Q2: Why did my doctor order both morning and afternoon cortisol tests?\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A single value can&#8217;t show your rhythm. Comparing morning and afternoon levels shows whether your natural cortisol decline is happening as expected.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Q3: Is a saliva cortisol test as accurate as a blood test?\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It&#8217;s reliable for tracking rhythm and free cortisol, though results can vary more between labs than blood tests do [2]. Your doctor will choose based on what&#8217;s being investigated.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Q4: Does stress the night before affect my cortisol test?\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Yes, poor sleep or an anxious night can raise your morning reading. Try to keep the day before your test as calm and routine as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Q5: What does a high cortisol level after a dexamethasone test mean?\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If your cortisol doesn&#8217;t drop as expected after taking dexamethasone, it suggests your body isn&#8217;t responding to the normal feedback signal \u2013 a marker doctors use to investigate Cushing syndrome [4].<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Q6: Can exercise before a cortisol test change my results?\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Yes, intense exercise within a couple of hours of your draw can temporarily raise cortisol, so light activity is usually recommended instead.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Q7: Why do cortisol normal ranges differ between labs?\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Different labs use different assay methods, and there&#8217;s still no single global standard for reporting cortisol, especially for saliva testing [2][5].<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Q8: Is it normal for cortisol to be highest right after waking up?\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Yes, this phenomenon is called the cortisol awakening response, and it&#8217;s a distinct, well-documented part of the normal daily rhythm [7].<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Q9: What do the abnormal results indicate?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Abnormal cortisol levels can indicate various conditions. High levels may indicate Cushing\u2019s syndrome, stress etc. while low levels may indicate Addison\u2019s disease, pituitary gland problems etc.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Q10: Why is cortisol called the \u201cstress hormone\u201d?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cortisol levels increase when you are stressed. It helps your body cope by increasing energy, improving alertness, and reducing inflammation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>References<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">:<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">1. Physiology, Cortisol. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. Available from:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK538239\/<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2. Comparative analysis of salivary cortisol measurements using different assay methods in relation to serum-free cortisol measurement. PMC. Available from:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC11026831\/<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">3. Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (Cosyntropin) Stimulation Test. StatPearls [Internet]. Available from:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK555940\/<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">4. Endocrine Testing Protocols: Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal Axis. Endotext [Internet]. Available from:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK278940\/<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">5. Diurnal salivary cortisol reference ranges across the lifespan. PMC. Available from:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC5108362<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">6. A Comparison of 06:00 AM Versus 09:00 AM Serum Cortisol as a Basal Morning Cortisol in Guwahati, Assam: A Pilot Study. Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. Available from:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC11288508\/<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">7. Cortisol Awakening Response and Nighttime Salivary Cortisol Levels in Healthy Working Korean Subjects. PMC. Available from:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC3101060\/<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">8. Technical and clinical aspects of cortisol as a biochemical marker of chronic stress. PMC. Available from:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC4436856\/<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">9. Cortisol (Blood) [Internet]. Rochester, NY: University of Rochester Medical Center; [Accessed 19 Jun. 2024]. Available from: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">https:\/\/www.urmc.rochester.edu\/encyclopedia\/content?contenttypeid=167&amp;contentid=cortisol_serum<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">10. UCSF health. Cortisol Blood Test.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Available from: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">https:\/\/www.ucsfhealth.org\/care\/medical-tests\/cortisol-blood-test<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>(The article is written by<\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1mg.com\/editorial-policy-processes\/nancy-dixit-110\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b> Nancy Dixit, Associate Manager, Clinical Health &amp; Content, Medical Affairs<\/b><\/a><b>, and reviewed by<\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1mg.com\/editorial-policy-processes\/monalisa-deka-18\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <b>Monalisa Deka, Deputy Manager, Clinical Health &amp; Content, Medical Affairs<\/b><\/a><b>.)<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><b>Recommended Reads:<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1mg.com\/articles\/cortisol-cocktail-does-this-viral-stress-relief-drink-really-work-heres-what-science-says\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cortisol Cocktail: Does This \u2018Viral Stress-Relief Drink\u2019 Really Work? Here\u2019s What Science Says<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1mg.com\/articles\/cortisol-face-the-viral-term-that-has-everyone-looking-in-the-mirror\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cortisol Face: The Viral Term That Has Everyone Looking in the Mirror<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-192277 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1mg.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/magnific_a-south-asian-couple-dres_xSSswY1jfW.jpeg\" alt=\"Cortisol Test Normal Levels\" Title=\"Cortisol Test: Normal Levels,Types and Timing Guide\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1mg.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/magnific_a-south-asian-couple-dres_xSSswY1jfW.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.1mg.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/magnific_a-south-asian-couple-dres_xSSswY1jfW-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.1mg.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/magnific_a-south-asian-couple-dres_xSSswY1jfW-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.1mg.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/magnific_a-south-asian-couple-dres_xSSswY1jfW-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.1mg.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/magnific_a-south-asian-couple-dres_xSSswY1jfW-150x100.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":72,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27,34],"tags":[40334,40001,40329,40331,40332,40336,40335,40333,40330,39677],"class_list":["post-192247","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-health-a-z","category-live-well","tag-adrenal-health","tag-cortisol-levels","tag-cortisol-test","tag-cortisol-test-types","tag-cortisol-timing","tag-cushing-syndrome","tag-hormone-testing","tag-hpa-axis","tag-normal-cortisol","tag-stress-hormone"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Cortisol Test: Normal Levels, Types and Timing Guide - Tata 1mg Capsules<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Confused about your cortisol test normal levels? 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