Cortisol Screening

Results in up to 15 minutes

Detect Hidden Stress with Cortisol Screening

Did you know? More than a third of people in Ireland say they always or often feel stressed in their daily lives, with work, money and health the most common causes.

Irish GPs say stress and stress-related complaints make up around a third of their daily workload.

Don't be part of the statistics.

Book Your Cortisol Screening Online

Book Your Test Now for only €49.00

Results in up to 15 minutes

Understand Your Stress Levels with Cortisol Screening

Feeling constantly tired, wired or run down, even after rest? These can be signs that your cortisol, your body's main stress hormone, is out of balance.

A simple cortisol screening at Mark's Pharmacy can help pinpoint the cause of these symptoms and get you back on track. Cortisol plays a key role in your energy, metabolism and how you respond to stress.

  • Manage Stress Effectively:

    Spot cortisol imbalances that affect your energy and how your body responds to stress.

  • Support Hormonal Health:

    Check your adrenal glands are working properly to keep your hormones in balance.

  • Prevent Long-Term Issues:

    Picking up cortisol irregularities early can help identify conditions such as Cushing's syndrome or Addison's disease.

  • Improve Daily Functioning:

    Balanced cortisol supports better sleep, a healthier metabolism and your ability to cope with physical and emotional stress.

Symptoms Indicating the Need for Cortisol Testing

Cortisol that's too high or too low can have a real impact on your health and wellbeing. Spotting the signs early makes it easier to look after your adrenal health.

  • Rapid Weight Gain

    Sudden, unexplained weight gain around the stomach, face and upper back.

  • Fatty Hump Between Shoulders

    Fat building up at the base of the neck, sometimes called a "buffalo hump".

  • High Blood Pressure

    Ongoing high blood pressure, sometimes hard to bring down with standard treatment.

  • High Blood Sugar Levels

    Raised glucose levels, which can lead to pre-diabetes or diabetes.

  • Weak Bones

    A higher risk of fractures or bone pain, as cortisol affects bone density.

  • Anxiety or Depression

    Feeling anxious, irritable or persistently low.

  • Irregular Periods

    Changes to your menstrual cycle, often alongside other hormone symptoms.

  • Nausea

    Ongoing queasiness, sometimes with vomiting.

  • Weight Loss

    Unexplained weight loss, often with a reduced appetite.

  • Fatigue

    Ongoing exhaustion and low energy, even after rest or sleep.

How and What We Measure

Our cortisol test measures how much cortisol is in your blood. Cortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone that plays a key role in how your body handles stress, regulates metabolism and maintains your wellbeing.

Measuring cortisol can help flag possible adrenal and pituitary gland problems early, so they can be looked into promptly.

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What is Cortisol?

Cortisol is a steroid hormone made by your adrenal glands. Its release is controlled by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from the pituitary gland. It affects many systems in your body, including:

  • Bone Health: supports bone development and repair.
  • Blood Pressure: helps keep it steady.
  • Immune System: regulates inflammation and immune responses.
  • Metabolism: breaks down fats, carbohydrates and proteins for energy.
  • Nervous System: affects mood, memory and brain health.
  • Stress Response: prepares you for physical and emotional challenges.
Factors That Affect Cortisol Levels
  • Medication: some medicines, such as oestrogen-containing contraceptives or steroids like prednisolone, can raise cortisol levels.
  • Stress: physical or emotional stress increases cortisol.
  • Pregnancy: cortisol is often naturally higher during pregnancy.
  • Time of Day: cortisol is highest in the morning and falls through the day, which is why the time of your test matters.

What to Expect During the Cortisol Test

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Finger prick blood test
1Getting Ready

Cortisol is at its highest early in the morning, so a morning appointment is best. Avoid strenuous exercise the day before for the most accurate result.

2Collecting the Sample

Our trained pharmacy team takes a small drop of blood from your fingertip. It's quick and minimally invasive.

3Running the Test

Your sample is placed on a test card and analysed on our in-pharmacy analyser.

4Waiting for Results

The whole test takes around 15 minutes, so you can relax while the analysis runs.

5Understanding Your Results

We'll explain your cortisol level and what it means for your health, taking the time of day into account.

6Next Steps

Depending on your result, you may need further tests, lifestyle changes or a visit to your GP to look into your cortisol levels in more detail.

Understanding Your Cortisol Test Results

Cortisol naturally changes through the day, so your result is read against the time your sample was taken.

Please note: This is a screening test and does not replace a diagnosis from your GP. If your result falls outside the normal range, our pharmacist will talk you through it and advise you to see your GP where needed.

Sources: Hastings Hotels survey of over 1,400 adults across Ireland (reported by PA, 2025); Zenflore, How Stressed is Ireland? survey (2024).