Stress

Lab testing for stress-related hormone patterns

These tests look at how stress may be affecting your body. Most measure cortisol, your main stress hormone, often several times during the day to show how your levels rise and fall. Some also check sex hormones or brain chemicals. Depending on the test, you’ll give a saliva, urine, or blood sample.

What stress tests can check for

• Stress hormones like cortisol and DHEA
• Your cortisol pattern during the day
• Brain chemicals called neurotransmitters
• Female and male hormones
• Wear and tear on cells, called oxidative stress