Cortisol (Morning)

In most people, cortisol levels are highest in the morning when they wake up and lowest around midnight. Your body also pumps out excess cortisol when you're anxious or under intense stress, which can affect your health if the levels stay too high for too long.

.

Why is cortisol high in the morning?

It's your natural “flight or fight” response that has kept humans alive for thousands of years. Normal levels of cortisol also are released when you wake up in the morning or exercise. These levels can help regulate your blood pressure and blood sugar levels and even strengthen your heart muscle.

.

A cortisol test shows whether a person has high or low levels of cortisol, which may indicate an adrenal disorder. A normal cortisol value in a blood sample taken at 8 a.m. is 5 to 25 mcg/dL. But results can vary widely, depending on the time of the test and the other factors that affect cortisol levels.