Symptom → lab tests
What blood tests are worth checking for insomnia?
Short answer
Sleep problems have a few measurable contributors: a disrupted cortisol rhythm, thyroid dysfunction, low ferritin (linked to restless legs) and low magnesium. A focused set is morning and evening cortisol, TSH, ferritin and magnesium; the results either explain part of the problem or clear the way to sleep-focused evaluation.
Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD · Last reviewed September 2026
When should you see a clinician instead of ordering a test?
- Loud snoring with pauses in breathing or gasping — ask a clinician about a sleep study
- Insomnia with depressed mood, hopelessness or thoughts of self-harm — seek help now (988 in the US)
Why these tests for insomnia and poor sleep?
Cortisol should be high in the morning and low at night; a flat or reversed pattern is associated with poor sleep and is checked with an a.m. and a p.m. draw. Hyperthyroidism causes difficulty falling and staying asleep. Low ferritin is a well-documented driver of restless legs, and magnesium supports muscle relaxation.
Sleep apnea, medications, caffeine, alcohol and mood disorders are the common non-lab causes; a sleep study, not a blood test, diagnoses apnea.
Which conditions do these tests help evaluate?
- Insomnia & Poor Sleep — Cortisol, thyroid, vitamin D and metabolic markers tied to disrupted sleep.
- Thyroid Problems — TSH, Free T4/T3 and antibodies to evaluate an under- or over-active thyroid.
Which tests, and what do they cost?
Prices are cash-pay; every order adds one $6 lab processing fee. Physician authorization is included; no insurance or referral needed.
| Test or panel | Type | Price | Fasting | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sleep Health PanelSaves $100.93 vs ordering the tests separately | Panel · 8 tests | $129.99 | Yes | 3–5 business days |
| Complete Thyroid PanelSaves $10.97 vs ordering the tests separately | Panel · 4 tests | $109.99 | No | 3–7 business days |
| Cortisol (AM) | Test | $26.99 | No | 2–4 business days |
| Cortisol, PM | Test | $34.99 | No | 1–3 business days |
| TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) | Test | $26.99 | No | 1–3 business days |
| Ferritin | Test | $24.99 | No | 1–3 business days |
| Magnesium | Test | $19.99 | No | 2–4 business days |
| Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy | Test | $41.99 | No | 1–3 business days |
Common questions
What time should I draw cortisol?
Morning cortisol between about 7 and 9 a.m., ideally within an hour of waking; evening cortisol in the late afternoon or early evening as the lab specifies. Note the times for your clinician.
Educational content, not a diagnosis. Lab results are one input; a clinician interprets them with your history and exam.