Cortisol in Hair (24-Hour Segment, Mass Concentration)
This test measures the amount of cortisol, a stress hormone, in a segment of your hair over a 24-hour period. Hair cortisol reflects long-term stress exposure, providing insights into chronic stress levels over weeks or months.
["Hair cortisol helps assess long-term stress and adrenal health beyond what daily urine tests can show."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 78988-3
- Short code
- Cortis Hair-sCnt
- Synonyms
- Cortis Hair-sCnt
- Category
- hormone
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
Why This Test Is Used
Doctors may order a hair cortisol test to evaluate chronic stress, adrenal gland function, or conditions like Cushing’s syndrome or Addison’s disease. It’s useful for identifying patterns of prolonged stress that standard tests might miss.
How the Test Works
A small section of your hair is collected, typically from the scalp near the roots. The test measures cortisol concentration in a specific 24-hour segment of the hair shaft, which corresponds to the time period the hair was growing. This segment is analyzed using a sensitive laboratory method to detect cortisol levels.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is needed. Simply wash your hair with mild soap and water to remove surface contaminants. Avoid heavy styling products or dyes that could interfere with results.
What the Results Mean
Results show cortisol concentration in the hair segment, which correlates with stress levels over the measured timeframe. Elevated levels may indicate chronic stress, while lower levels could suggest adrenal insufficiency or other conditions affecting cortisol production.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Hair cortisol testing provides a unique perspective on stress exposure over time, offering insights that daily urine cortisol tests cannot. It’s particularly valuable for diagnosing conditions linked to prolonged cortisol elevation, such as Cushing’s syndrome, or assessing stress-related health impacts in conditions like depression or autoimmune disorders. However, results should always be interpreted by a healthcare provider in the context of your overall health and medical history.
Short name
Hair Cortisol Test
Frequently asked questions
How is hair collected for this test?
What does a high hair cortisol level indicate?
Can hair cortisol levels change with diet or supplements?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy