Cortisol (Urine)
Private Cortisol (Urine) testing in London for £99, measuring one urinary free cortisol marker with results expected in around 1 week.
Turnaround time
1 week
Biomarkers count
1
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Overview of the Urine Cortisol Test
The Cortisol (Urine) test measures Free Cortisol excreted in urine, providing information about cortisol production over the defined collection period.
The test assesses 1 specialist adrenal hormone marker: Free Cortisol (Urine).
Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands under the control of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
It has important roles in metabolism, blood pressure regulation, glucose availability, immune activity and the body's physiological response to physical and psychological stress.
Blood cortisol concentrations naturally fluctuate throughout the day.
Levels are normally highest around waking and decrease towards the evening.
Urinary free cortisol answers a different question from a single blood cortisol measurement because it measures the unbound cortisol filtered into urine during the collection period.
Where a 24-hour urine collection is requested, the result provides an integrated assessment of free cortisol excretion across the full day rather than at one isolated moment.
Urinary free cortisol is particularly associated with specialist investigation of cortisol excess, including suspected Cushing's syndrome.
It is not normally used by itself to diagnose the underlying cause of abnormal cortisol production.
The result can be influenced by the completeness of the urine collection, kidney function, fluid intake, medication and significant physiological stress.
Some steroid medicines can also interfere with cortisol assessment or alter the body's own cortisol production.
For this reason, accurate collection and medication history are particularly important.
Depending on the clinical question, urinary cortisol may be assessed alongside late-night Salivary Cortisol, blood Cortisol, ACTH or specialist suppression testing.
A normal result does not exclude every adrenal or pituitary condition, while an abnormal result usually requires further endocrine investigation rather than being interpreted alone.
What Does the Urine Cortisol Test Check ?
The test measures free cortisol excreted in urine and can provide information about overall cortisol production during the specified collection period. This test measures 1 specialist biomarker.
Free Cortisol (Urine)
Measures unbound cortisol excreted into urine during the collection period, supporting assessment of adrenal cortisol production and investigation of suspected cortisol excess.
Who May Benefit From the Urine Cortisol Test?
Urinary free cortisol testing is most useful where an endocrinologist or clinician is investigating abnormal cortisol production rather than as a general stress test.
People undergoing investigation for suspected cortisol excess - Urinary free cortisol is one recognised investigation used when Cushing's syndrome is being considered.
People with unexplained features suggestive of Cushing's syndrome - A combination of characteristic clinical findings can prompt specialist cortisol testing.
People with a previous abnormal Cortisol result - Urinary measurement can provide additional information from a longer collection period.
People requiring an alternative to a single blood Cortisol measurement - Urine testing assesses cortisol excretion over time rather than at one isolated moment.
People under specialist adrenal or pituitary assessment - Urinary cortisol can complement ACTH, blood Cortisol and other endocrine investigations.
People undergoing repeat cortisol assessment - More than one urine collection may occasionally be requested because cortisol production can vary.
People with a known endocrine condition requiring follow-up - Specialist monitoring may include urinary free cortisol where clinically appropriate.
People specifically advised to complete timed urine cortisol testing - The value of the result depends on following the correct collection protocol.
How to Prepare
An incomplete timed urine collection can make the result unreliable.
Do not stop steroid medication suddenly unless this has been specifically advised by the clinician managing your treatment.
Symptoms and Reasons to Consider the Urine Cortisol Test
Symptoms associated with abnormal cortisol production are often non-specific and should be assessed as a pattern rather than individually.
Unexplained central weight gain with other characteristic changes - Cortisol excess can alter fat distribution and metabolism.
Easy bruising or thinning skin - Excess cortisol can affect connective tissue and skin integrity.
Wide purple or reddish stretch marks - Characteristic striae can occur with sustained cortisol excess.
Muscle weakness - Prolonged cortisol excess can particularly affect proximal muscle strength.
High blood pressure that is difficult to explain or control - Cortisol excess can contribute to hypertension.
New or worsening blood sugar abnormalities - Excess cortisol can impair glucose regulation.
Menstrual or reproductive hormone changes - Significant cortisol excess can disrupt normal reproductive hormone signalling.
A previous abnormal adrenal or pituitary investigation - Urinary free cortisol may provide additional endocrine information.
Urinary cortisol should not be used as a general measure of everyday psychological stress.
Symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, poor sleep or weight change have many possible causes and do not by themselves indicate an adrenal cortisol disorder.
Severe illness or symptoms suggesting significant endocrine disease require appropriate clinical assessment.
How to Book Your Urine Cortisol Test in London
The Cortisol (Urine) test can be booked privately for specialist assessment of urinary free cortisol.
Choose the Cortisol (Urine)
Select the individual urine Cortisol test online.
Select your sample collection option
Receive the appropriate urine collection container and laboratory instructions for the required timed collection.
Collect your urine sample
Complete the collection exactly according to the laboratory protocol and record the required start and finish times.
Laboratory analysis
Your urine sample undergoes specialist measurement of Free Cortisol (Urine).
Receive your results securely
Your authorised result is delivered securely and can be interpreted alongside other adrenal or pituitary investigations where appropriate.
When Will I Receive My Results?
The current live London Blood Tests page lists a turnaround of approximately 1 week after laboratory receipt for Cortisol (Urine).
This is a specialist endocrine investigation rather than a routine urine measurement.
Laboratory processing begins once the completed urine specimen reaches the laboratory.
The sample undergoes cortisol analysis, quality-control procedures and result authorisation.
An incomplete or incorrectly timed collection can delay interpretation or require the test to be repeated.
Understanding Your Results
The result shows the amount of Free Cortisol excreted during the defined urine collection period.
A raised urinary free cortisol result can provide evidence of increased cortisol production.
When the elevation is clinically significant and reproducible, further investigation may be required for conditions associated with cortisol excess.
One abnormal result does not by itself establish Cushing's syndrome.
Temporary increases can occur with severe physiological stress, some illnesses and other clinical circumstances.
Collection quality also matters.
If urine has been missed during a timed collection, the result may underestimate cortisol excretion.
A result within the laboratory range makes substantial cortisol excess less likely in the circumstances of that collection but does not exclude every endocrine disorder.
Cortisol production can vary, so repeat or alternative testing may be required where clinical suspicion remains strong.
The result should be interpreted using the laboratory's own reference range and alongside symptoms, medication and other endocrine investigations.
Why Book With London Blood Tests?
London Blood Tests provides private access to urinary free cortisol measurement for specialist adrenal and endocrine assessment.
Measures urinary Free Cortisol - The test assesses the exact Free Cortisol (Urine) biomarker.
Provides a timed assessment of cortisol production - Urine collection can provide information across a longer period than one blood sample.
Relevant to cortisol-excess investigation - Urinary free cortisol is used during specialist assessment where Cushing's syndrome is being considered.
Can complement blood and saliva cortisol - Different cortisol tests provide information from different sample types and time periods.
Suitable for specialist endocrine assessment - The result can be interpreted alongside ACTH and other adrenal or pituitary investigations.
Clear collection instructions - Timed urine collection requirements are provided for accurate specimen collection.
Specialist laboratory analysis - Samples undergo dedicated hormone measurement.
Clear pricing - The Cortisol (Urine) test costs £99.
Private Urine Cortisol Test in London
London Blood Tests provides private Cortisol (Urine) testing for people requiring specialist assessment of urinary free cortisol production.
The test costs £99 and measures 1 specialist biomarker: Free Cortisol (Urine).
Results are expected approximately 1 week after laboratory receipt.
Accurate timed urine collection is essential because missing part of the collection can materially affect the result.