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Collection should be performed between the hours of 7:00 and 9:00 AM

You may be advised by your doctor to discontinue drugs that can affect the test.

Drugs that can increase cortisol measurements include estrogen and synthetic glucocorticoids, like prednisone and prednisolone.

Drugs that can decrease cortisol measurements include androgens and phenytoin. A cortisol level is a blood test that measures the amount of cortisol, a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex. Cortisol levels are often measured to evaluate the pituitary and adrenal function.

Cortisol is a steroid hormone released from the adrenal cortex in response to ACTH. Normally, cortisol levels rise and fall during the day, repeating on a 24-hour cycle (diurnal variation). Highest levels are at about 6 to 8 a.m. and lowest levels are at about midnight.

Physical and emotional stress can increase serum cortisol, because a normal response to stress involves increased secretion of ACTH by the pituitary gland.

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MyMedLab Product ID: 847