wie kann man den cortisolspiegel messen — what are common causes?

Cortisol can be measured via blood (morning fasting), saliva (diurnal profile), or 24-hour urine. Home tests (e.g., saliva) capture only a single point and cannot diagnose chronic stress or disease. Common causes of high cortisol include chronic stress, Cushing's syndrome, certain medications, or depression. Low cortisol may result from adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease), pituitary disorders, or cortisol deficiency. Symptoms of low cortisol are often nonspecific: fatigue, weight loss, low blood pressure, nausea. Important: a single measurement is unreliable due to strong circadian variation. Reliable diagnosis requires multiple measurements and medical evaluation. Evidence for home tests is weak; they may serve as screening tools but not as sole basis for treatment.