Educational information from Her Form — reviewed for accuracy by our health specialists.
Not a substitute for personal medical advice. Optional 1:1 consults with Robyn, our consulting women's-health specialist, are available on request.
What it is
Cortisol follows a daily rhythm: highest 30 minutes after waking, lowest around midnight. It mobilises glucose, modulates inflammation and shapes the stress response.
Why it matters for women
Chronically elevated cortisol disrupts sleep, drives belly-fat storage, suppresses sex hormones and worsens insulin resistance. Chronically low cortisol leaves you wired-and-tired with poor stamina.
Optimal range
AM serum: 10–18 μg/dL.
Standard lab range
Lab ranges 5–25.
When it's high
- ↑Wired-but-tired
- ↑Belly fat, sugar cravings
- ↑Sleep disruption (esp. 2–4am)
- ↑Anxiety
When it's low
- ↓Morning fatigue
- ↓Low blood pressure
- ↓Salt cravings
- ↓Burnout
References
- Endocrine Society — Adrenal insufficiency guidelines— HPA-axis testing, cortisol norms and adrenal disorders
- NICE — Adrenal disorders— Assessment of abnormal cortisol and DHEA-S patterns
- Jean Hailes — Stress and hormonal health— Chronic stress and the female HPA axis
- Endocrine Society — DHEA and adrenal health— DHEA-S as an adrenal reserve marker
References are provided for educational context only. Always interpret results with a qualified healthcare professional.
A note on interpretation. Ranges above are what our health specialists works to in healthy women. They are not a diagnosis — a single result always needs context from your symptoms, cycle phase and other markers.