Private Cortisol (Stress Hormone) Blood Test – Understand Burnout, Fatigue & Stress Overload

Constantly tired but wired? Struggling to switch off? Waking up exhausted or crashing mid-afternoon?
Many people blame “stress”, but your body runs on hormones — and one of the most important is cortisol, your primary stress hormone.

Our private cortisol blood test helps you see whether your stress hormone levels are in a healthy range or whether there may be an imbalance worth discussing with your GP or specialist.

✔ What a Cortisol Blood Test Checks

Cortisol is produced by your adrenal glands. When levels are too high or too low for too long, it can affect:

• Energy and fatigue
• Sleep and recovery
• Weight gain around the middle
• Mood, anxiety and stress tolerance
• Blood pressure and blood sugar
• Immune function and inflammation

A cortisol test helps identify:

• High cortisol (possible Cushing’s pattern)
• Low cortisol (possible adrenal insufficiency / Addison’s pattern)
• Whether stress could be affecting your health and energy levels

✔ Types of Cortisol Tests We Offer

• Single Morning Cortisol (AM) – taken early in the day, ideal as a first check of adrenal function
• Cortisol as part of a wider Wellness Panel – combined with thyroid, hormones or metabolic markers

If you’re unsure which you need, our team can guide you.

✔ Who Should Consider a Cortisol Test?

You may benefit from testing if you experience:

• Constant fatigue or feeling “tired but wired”
• Stress overload or low stress tolerance
• Unexplained weight gain around your stomach
• Sleep problems or early waking
• High or fluctuating blood pressure
• Low mood, irritability or anxiety
• You’ve been advised to check adrenal function

✔ Cortisol Test Prices

• Cortisol (AM) Blood Test – £66

Simple morning blood test to assess baseline cortisol level.

• Advanced Wellness Panel (Includes Cortisol) – £150.50 (RRP £150)

Includes broader markers such as thyroid, metabolic health or hormones (varies by panel).

✔ Why Choose Holden’s Wellness Clinics

• Fast results – typically within 24–48 hours
• Professional sample collection by trained clinicians
• CQC-registered UK laboratory (London Medical Laboratory)
• Clear, GP-friendly results sent securely by email
• Calm, private clinic setting — not a hospital

We don’t diagnose or prescribe. Our role is to provide accurate testing and clear results you can use with your GP or specialist.

✔ How It Works

1. Book Online – choose Doncaster or Newark
2. Attend Your Appointment – sample taken in under 15 minutes
3. Lab Testing – same-day dispatch to our UK partner lab
4. Receive Results – securely by email (24–48 hours)

📍 Available at Both Clinics

• Doncaster – Holden’s Wellness Clinic (DN5)
• Newark – Holden’s Wellness Clinic (NG24)

Book Your Cortisol (Stress) Blood Test

Secure your appointment below. If you’re unsure whether cortisol is right for you, our team can help you choose the most appropriate test.

If you have severe symptoms such as fainting, extremely low blood pressure, or severe abdominal pain, please contact NHS 111 or visit A&E.

This page was updated in 2026 to reflect current UK guidance on blood testing and symptom assessment.

Cortisol Blood Test – FAQs

What is cortisol?

Cortisol is often called the stress hormone. It helps control:

• Energy levels

• Blood pressure

• Blood sugar

• Sleep–wake cycle

• How your body responds to stress

It’s essential for daily function — problems arise when levels stay too high or too low for too long.

Why would I need a cortisol test?

A cortisol test can help explain symptoms such as:

• Ongoing tiredness or burnout

• Feeling “wired but exhausted”

• Poor sleep or waking up tired

• Anxiety, low mood, or irritability

• Weight gain around the middle

• Frequent illness or slow recovery

It’s often used when stress feels physical, not just mental.

Do I need to fast before a cortisol blood test?

No. Fasting is not required unless it’s combined with other tests that need fasting.

What time of day is best for a cortisol test?

Cortisol follows a daily rhythm:

• Highest in the morning

• Lowest at night

Most blood cortisol tests are done in the morning, as this gives the most useful comparison.