The short answer
Measures cortisol levels in the blood to evaluate adrenal function and stress response, measured from a standard blood draw. At TestWell it costs $32.99 plus a $6 lab fee, needs no fasting, and results post in 1–3 business days. Physician-authorized with no doctor's visit or insurance needed; draw at Labcorp.
Hospital Lab
$170
cash pay
Other Labs
$50
+ lab fees
TestWell
$32.99
+ $6 lab fee
Cortisol is the body's primary stress hormone, produced by the adrenal glands. It follows a natural daily rhythm — highest in the morning and lowest at night. Abnormal cortisol levels can indicate conditions such as Cushing's syndrome (excess cortisol), Addison's disease (cortisol deficiency), adrenal insufficiency, or chronic stress. This test measures total serum cortisol and is useful for evaluating adrenal function, fatigue, weight changes, and stress-related symptoms. For the most accurate results, morning collection is preferred.
Hormone testing measures the chemical messengers that regulate energy, mood, sex drive, weight, and reproduction — helping pinpoint imbalances that cause a wide range of symptoms.
Anyone with unexplained fatigue, mood changes, libido changes, weight changes, irregular cycles, or considering hormone replacement therapy.
Sample Type
Blood draw
Fasting
Not required
Results In
1–3 business days
Performed At
Labcorp
Your Cortisol results will include values for each of the 1 biomarker tested, along with reference ranges. Results are reviewed by a licensed physician before being released to your secure portal.
If any values fall outside the normal range, your report will include guidance on what that may mean and recommended next steps. You'll receive an email notification when your results are ready, typically within 1–3 business days.
Typical reference range layout
Lab reports show where your value sits relative to established reference intervals—your physician interprets this in context for you.
Morning blood draw preferred (before 10 AM) for baseline cortisol. Avoid strenuous exercise the evening before.
A Cortisol test costs $32.99 at TestWell — $38.99 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 same test lists at $89.00 at Labcorp OnDemand (list prices checked Sep 12, 2026). Hospital outpatient labs typically bill around $170.00 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) | $32.99 | $38.99 | Includes the one $6 lab processing fee, charged once per order |
| Labcorp OnDemand (Labcorp's own site) | $89.00 | $89.00 | list price checked Sep 12, 2026 |
| Hospital outpatient lab, self-pay (typical) | $170.00 | $170.00 | Reference figure; hospital charges vary widely by facility and are often higher |
56% less than the lower lab-direct list price, for the same draw at the same lab. Lab test codes: Labcorp test no. 004051. Competitor prices are read from the linked public pages and re-checked regularly; the labs' sites may add taxes or change prices without notice.
TestWell Price
$32.99
+ $6 lab processing fee at checkout
No insurance needed · HIPAA compliant
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Cortisol
$32.99