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 |  | With Health Insurance: $0-$30 Copay or 10%-50% Coinsurance |  | Without Health Insurance: $50-$150+ |
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A cortisol test measures the level of cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal gland, in the blood. It can help diagnose conditions such as Addison's disease, in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough of the hormone, Cushing's syndrome, in which the body is exposed to abnormally high levels of cortisol for an extended time, or certain tumors.
Typical costs: | - For patients covered by health insurance, out-of-pocket costs for a cortisol test typically consist of a copay ranging from nothing to $30 or more, or coinsurance of 10-50% or more. A cortisol test typically would be covered by health insurance when medically necessary.
- For patients not covered by health insurance, a cortisol test typically costs about $50-$150 or more, depending on whether a blood, urine or saliva test is performed and how many times per day the cortisol levels are tested. Cortisol levels vary by time of day, and a blood test checks the level at a single point in time, so multiple tests might be required; however, some urine and saliva tests require the patient to collect multiple specimens in a single day to make the testing more accurate. Test Me Health[1] , which has locations across the United States, charges $45 for a cortisol blood test. Health Testing Centers[2] , which also has multiple locations, charges $49 for a blood test, as does My Affordable Labs, while Direct Labs[3] charges $51. MyMedLab[4] charges $99 for a cortisol urine test in which the patient collects a urine sample over a 24-hour period. MyMedLab charges $108 for a saliva test with a single saliva sample. Oregon-based ZRT Laboratory charges $138 for a saliva test that checks cortisol levels at morning, noon, evening and night, while California Natural Health[5] charges $150.
Related articles: Cushing's Syndrome Treatment, Stereotactic Radiosurgery, Health Insurance
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What should be included: | - A cortisol test can be performed on blood, urine or saliva. A blood test typically is done at a doctor's office or clinic. For a urine or saliva test, the patient typically collects the samples at home at different times during one day. This test checks for levels of cortisol, a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands, which plays a role in the functioning of the immune system, metabolism, bone formation and pregnancy.
- The National Institutes of Health has an overview of the cortisol test[6] .
Additional costs: | - Depending on the test results, the doctor might order additional testing, such as an ACTH stimulation test[7] , which can help diagnose Addison's disease, pituitary tumors and other problems, and can cost more than $100.
Discounts: | - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers a locator[8] for clinics that provide discounts on an income-based sliding scale.
Shopping for a cortisol test: | - Blood tests can be done at a doctor's office -- either a primary care physician or specialist -- or at a clinic or hospital. WebMD offers a doctor locator by zip code[9] . If necessary, a primary care doctor can provide a referral to an endocrinologist, a specialist who can diagnose and treat problems with the endocrine system. Or the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists offers a www.aace.com/resources/find-an-endocrinologist>doctor locator by city and state.
- For patients who want anonymity or do not wish to go through a doctor, companies such as LabCorp[10] , Quest Diagnostics[11] and Health Testing Centers[12] offer laboratory testing direct to patients. However, it is important to seek the advice of a doctor for any health concerns.
- Laboratories are regulated by the federal government through the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments[13] , which set quality standards; some states also have their own requirements. LabTestsOnline.org, produced by the American Association for Clinical Chemistry, offers information on laboratory oversight[14] as well advice for consumers on how to choose a quality laboratory[15] .
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Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
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External Resources: | - www.testmehealth.com/cortisol?zenid=tlgrsn83v2n296pt1v21lg7m80
- www.healthtestingcenters.com/cortisol-blood-test.aspx
- /www.directlabs.com/OrderTests/tabid/55/language/en-US/Default.aspx
- /thyroid-info.mymedlab.com/hormone/cortisol-urine-free
- nhealth.ca/tests
- www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003693.htm
- www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003696.htm
- findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/Search_HCC.aspx
- doctor.webmd.com/home.aspx?sponsor=core
- /www.labcorp.com/wps/portal/findalab/
- www.questdiagnostics.com/home.html
- www.healthtestingcenters.com
- www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/DeviceRegulationandGuidance/IVDRegulatoryAssistance/ucm...
- labtestsonline.org/lab/labquality/start/1
- labtestsonline.org/lab/labquality/start/3
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