Questions people ask about Cortisol Basis

To measure cortisol correctly, timing is critical due to its diurnal rhythm: samples should be taken in the morning (30–60 minutes after waking) and/or in the evening. MyBody-X offers a home saliva test that you collect at specified times and send to a lab. Results can indicate patterns of stress or potential adrenal dysfunction, but a single reading is unreliable. Factors like sleep quality, diet, acute illness, or medications can skew values. The test is not diagnostic; abnormal results require follow-up with a doctor and confirmatory tests (e.g., dexamethasone suppression test). Evidence is based on clinical practice rather than strong validation for consumer tests. Use the results as a screening tool, not a standalone diagnosis.