--- title: Cortisol (AM) Test type: test id: cortisol-am url: "https://www.test-well.com/tests/cortisol-am" price_usd: 26.99 lab_fee_usd: 6 all_in_usd: 32.99 cpt: 82533 category: Hormones sample: Blood draw fasting_required: false results_in: "2–4 business days" labs: - Quest - Labcorp - BioReference orderable: true reviewed_at: 2026-09-14 order_url: "https://www.test-well.com/cart?add=cortisol-am&utm_source=ai_agent&utm_medium=markdown" --- # Cortisol (AM) Test > Morning cortisol level — screens for adrenal dysfunction, Cushing's syndrome, and Addison's disease, measured from a standard blood draw. At TestWell it costs $26.99 plus a $6 lab fee, needs no fasting, and results post in 2–4 business days. Physician-authorized with no doctor's visit or insurance needed; draw at Quest or Labcorp. ## Key facts | Fact | Value | | --- | --- | | Price | $26.99 + $6 lab processing fee per order ($32.99 all-in for this test alone) | | CPT code | 82533 | | Sample | Blood draw | | Fasting | Not required | | Results | 2–4 business days | | Labs | Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp, BioReference (NY & NJ) | | Biomarkers measured | 1 | | Physician authorization | Included — no doctor's visit, referral or insurance needed | | Payment | Card, HSA or FSA; cash-pay only (no insurance billing) | ## What does the Cortisol (AM) test tell you? Morning cortisol level — screens for adrenal dysfunction, Cushing's syndrome, and Addison's disease. This test measures cortisol levels in the morning when they should be at their peak (cortisol follows a natural daily rhythm). Morning cortisol is the most commonly used screening test for adrenal function. Abnormally high levels may suggest Cushing's syndrome, while low levels may indicate adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease). It's also useful for evaluating chronic fatigue and stress-related symptoms. **Clinical use:** Morning serum cortisol — peak diurnal value. Screens for adrenal insufficiency (Addison's), Cushing's syndrome, and HPA-axis dysfunction. ## Who should order it? Anyone with persistent fatigue, low blood pressure, salt cravings, or autoimmune adrenal concerns. Also baseline for athletes monitoring overtraining and patients tapering long-term steroids. ## Biomarkers measured - [Cortisol](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/cortisol-am) ## Price by lab | Lab | Test price | All-in (with $6 fee) | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Quest Diagnostics | $26.99 | $32.99 | Choose at checkout; walk-in patient service centers nationwide (not NY/NJ) | | Labcorp | $27.99 | $33.99 | Choose at checkout; walk-in patient service centers nationwide (not NY/NJ) | | BioReference (NY & NJ) | $31.99 | $37.99 | New York and New Jersey orders route here automatically | Rhode Island is not served. Prices are identical online and in the lab; no draw fee or physician fee is added. ## How much does a Cortisol (AM) test cost? A Cortisol (AM) test costs $26.99 at TestWell — $32.99 all-in when ordered alone, because the $6 lab processing fee is charged once per order, with no draw fee or physician fee added. Ordered directly from the labs' own consumer sites, the closest equivalent lists at $79.00 at Quest Health (list prices checked Sep 12, 2026; see the notes on how the products differ). Hospital outpatient labs typically bill around $120.00 self-pay for the same test, and often more. With insurance, what you pay depends on your deductible and your plan's negotiated rate; TestWell's price is fixed before the draw and is HSA/FSA-eligible. | Where you order | Price | One test, all-in | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | TestWell (drawn at Quest or Labcorp) | $26.99 | $32.99 | Includes the one $6 lab processing fee, charged once per order | | Quest Health (Quest Diagnostics' own site) | $79.00 | $79.00 | Quest Health sells a single morning cortisol draw · [list price checked 2026-09-12](https://www.questhealth.com/product/cortisol-stress-hormone-test/4212M.html) | | Hospital outpatient lab, self-pay (typical) | $120.00 | $120.00 | Reference figure; hospital charges vary widely by facility and are often higher | Lab test codes: Quest test code 367 · Labcorp test no. 104018 · BioReference code 0066-1. ## How do you prepare? Must be drawn between 7–9 AM. No fasting required but avoid vigorous exercise beforehand. ## Related conditions - Adrenal insufficiency (E27.40) - Cushing's syndrome (E24.9) - [Chronic fatigue](https://www.test-well.com/conditions/chronic-fatigue) (G93.32) - Burnout / HPA dysregulation (Z73.0) ## Common questions about the Cortisol (AM) test ### Why does cortisol need to be drawn AM? Cortisol follows a strong diurnal rhythm — peaks 6-8 AM, drops to ~50% by noon, lowest at midnight. A morning draw between 7-9 AM is the only time the result is interpretable against published reference ranges. ### How much does an AM cortisol test cost without insurance? TestWell charges $26.99 — vs $59 at Quest Direct and $80-$200 at hospital labs. Same Quest or Labcorp draw. ### Do I need to fast? No fasting required, but the AM timing is critical. Draw before exercise and before caffeine; both transiently elevate cortisol. ### What's a normal AM cortisol level? Reference: 6-23 mcg/dL. <3 mcg/dL strongly suggests adrenal insufficiency. >23 raises Cushing's suspicion (confirm with 24h urinary free cortisol or low-dose dexamethasone suppression). ### Cortisol AM vs PM — should I order both? Add a PM draw if Cushing's is suspected (loss of normal diurnal drop is the earliest sign). Order [Cortisol PM](https://www.test-well.com/tests/cortisol-pm) at 4-5 PM same-day for the comparison. ### Does adrenal fatigue show up on this test? 'Adrenal fatigue' isn't a recognized medical diagnosis. True adrenal insufficiency (Addison's) shows clearly on AM cortisol. If you have fatigue symptoms but normal cortisol, the cause is usually elsewhere — see [TSH](https://www.test-well.com/tests/tsh), [Iron Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/iron-panel-complete), and [Vitamin D](https://www.test-well.com/tests/vitamin-d). ## How to order 1. Add to cart: https://www.test-well.com/cart?add=cortisol-am&utm_source=ai_agent&utm_medium=markdown 2. Create an account or sign in, confirm your state and preferred lab, pay by card, HSA or FSA. 3. A licensed physician authorizes the order (usually within minutes); the requisition arrives by email. 4. Walk into any Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp, BioReference (NY & NJ) patient service center — no appointment needed at most sites. 5. Results post to your TestWell portal in 2–4 business days with reference ranges and flags. ## Related - [Blood Tests for Athletes](https://www.test-well.com/guides/blood-tests-for-athletes) - [Men's Hormone Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/mens-hormone-panel) — 7 tests · $199.99 - [Metabolism & Weight Loss Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/metabolism-panel) — 8 tests · $119.99 - [Fitness & Performance Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/fitness-performance-panel) — 8 tests · $119.99 - [Adiponectin](https://www.test-well.com/tests/adiponectin) — $36.99 - [Aldosterone](https://www.test-well.com/tests/aldosterone-test) — $61.99 - [Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) Profile](https://www.test-well.com/tests/antidiuretic-hormone-profile) — $109.99 - [Cortisol](https://www.test-well.com/tests/cortisol-labcorp) — $32.99 - [Cortisol, PM](https://www.test-well.com/tests/cortisol-pm) — $34.99 - [All Hormones tests](https://www.test-well.com/tests/category/hormones) - [Full test directory](https://www.test-well.com/tests/directory) --- Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD (Medical Reviewer, TestWell); last reviewed 2026-09-14. Review policy: https://www.test-well.com/reviewers/youmna-distefano-md Canonical page: https://www.test-well.com/tests/cortisol-am Machine-readable catalog: https://www.test-well.com/api/catalog.json · MCP server: https://www.test-well.com/mcp · Overview for agents: https://www.test-well.com/llms.txt Prices are cash-pay, in USD, and include physician authorization; every order adds one flat $6 lab processing fee. Educational content is not a diagnosis — discuss results with a clinician.