Ordering the Adrenal Fatigue Stress Test | Europe
Ordering the Adrenal Fatigue Stress Test helps measure how your adrenal glands are working by checking your cortisol and DHEA levels at different times of the day. This test can show if your body’s stress response is balanced or if there are signs of hormone imbalance that may be linked to tiredness, mood changes, or trouble sleeping. Interestingly, research shows that long-term stress can affect the hippocampus, a part of the brain important for memory, and this can be seen in changes in cortisol patterns.
When ordering the Adrenal Fatigue Stress Test, you get several specific benefits:
- Tracks cortisol levels at four points during the day to reveal daily hormone patterns.
- Measures DHEA, a hormone that helps balance the effects of cortisol.
- Helps identify if stress is affecting your energy, mood, or sleep cycles.
- Supports your doctor in making targeted recommendations for hormone support.
- Allows you to monitor changes over time as you make lifestyle or treatment adjustments.
Who Should Consider Hormone and Stress Response Testing
People who feel tired even after a full night’s sleep, struggle with mood swings, or notice they get sick more often may benefit from this test. For example, someone who has been feeling run down for months, finds it hard to focus at work, and has noticed weight gain despite no changes in diet might find answers through this testing.
Ordering this test may also be helpful in these situations:
- Feeling unusually anxious or irritable without a clear reason
- Having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, especially if it’s a new problem
- Experiencing frequent headaches or muscle aches that don’t improve with rest
- Noticing changes in appetite or unexplained weight gain
- Having a history of frequent colds or slow recovery from minor illnesses, which can be linked to hormone changes
Testing your hormone levels can help you and your doctor find out if your symptoms are related to stress or hormone imbalance, so you can make changes that may improve your energy, mood, and sleep. Delaying this test could mean missing the chance to spot hormone changes early, which may make it harder to address symptoms quickly.
Preparing for Adrenal and Cortisol Level Testing
Fasting is not required for this test, but you should avoid eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth for at least 30 minutes before each saliva sample. Always follow the instructions provided by your doctor or healthcare provider to make sure your samples are collected correctly and your results are as useful as possible.
Labs Included When Ordering Your Adrenal Fatigue Stress Test
| Test Name | Reference Range | What This Test Measures | Low and High Levels of This Marker |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cortisol (Morning) | 5.0 – 23.0 | Cortisol is a hormone made by the adrenal glands that helps control stress, blood sugar, and energy. The morning sample shows how your body responds to waking up and starting the day. |
High levels mean your body may be under stress or your adrenal glands are working harder than usual.
Low levels mean your adrenal glands may not be making enough cortisol, which can cause tiredness and low energy. |
| Cortisol (Noon) | 2.0 – 12.0 | This sample checks how cortisol drops as the day goes on. It helps show if your body’s stress response is following a healthy daily pattern. |
High levels mean your body may be staying in a stressed state longer than normal.
Low levels mean your energy may drop too quickly, leading to tiredness or trouble focusing. |
| Cortisol (Afternoon) | 1.0 – 8.0 | The afternoon sample shows if cortisol continues to fall as expected. This helps spot if stress hormones are staying high or dropping too low before evening. |
High levels mean your body may not be winding down from stress as it should.
Low levels mean you might feel very tired or have trouble staying alert in the afternoon. |
| Cortisol (Night) | 0.5 – 3.0 | This sample checks if cortisol is low at night, which is needed for restful sleep. High levels at night can make it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep. |
High levels mean you may have trouble sleeping or feel restless at night.
Low levels mean your body is winding down as expected, but very low levels could cause weakness or dizziness. |
| Total DHEA | 150 – 350 | DHEA is a hormone made by the adrenal glands that helps balance the effects of cortisol. It supports energy, mood, and the immune system. |
High levels mean your body may be making extra DHEA to balance high cortisol or due to other hormone changes.
Low levels mean your adrenal glands may be underactive, which can lead to tiredness and low mood. |
Reference ranges may change slightly as labs update their standards, so always check your report for the most current values.
Adrenal Fatigue Stress Test FAQ
Is there Adrenal Fatigue Stress Test testing near me?
This is a test kit you can use at home, and you can find a local draw location using the link at the top of the page. For people dealing with ongoing tiredness or stress-related symptoms, having a nearby collection site makes it easier to get tested without extra travel or delays.
How do I interpret the test results?
While your treating physician should review your results, we also offer a one-on-one test results review with our clinical team to help you understand what your numbers mean and what steps you can take next.
What is the cost of the test?
The price you see for the test includes standard shipping to you and return shipping to the lab, but draw fees may apply. Ordering this test can help you find out if hormone changes are causing your symptoms, so you can start feeling better sooner.
How often should I retest?
It’s best to retest every 3 to 6 months, especially if you are making changes to your diet, stress management, or treatment plan, so you can track how your hormone levels respond over time.
How accurate is the test?
This test uses saliva samples analyzed by enzyme immunoassay, which provides a specificity of 98% and a sensitivity of 97% for cortisol and DHEA. TrueHealthLabs.com partners with CLIA-certified and CAP-certified laboratories to uphold rigorous testing standards for dependable results.
Important Notes
- This test cannot be collected in NY, NJ, MA, and RI. Contact us with questions.
Medical Review Board
Reviewed by Jeff Donohue M.D. from Body Logic and Brady Hurst DC, CCCN. Written by True Health Lab’s team of editorial health contributors.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and not intended as medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.
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