Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands, playing a critical role in the body's stress response. It influences metabolism, regulates blood pressure, and helps control inflammation. Morning cortisol levels, specifically, reflect the peak of the hormone's circadian rhythm, typically highest shortly after waking. Measuring basal cortisol provides insight into adrenal gland function and the body's capacity to manage physiological and psychological stressors. This test helps assess the foundational activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
Morning cortisol
Stress hormone measured in the morning.