Sunday morning test

I wake up to take a cortisol test using saliva, not pee.

Cortisol chatter

Influencers blame cortisol for belly fat, hair loss, and moon face.

Cortisol test kit

I ordered Eli’s $199 kit for 24 tests with a three-month subscription.

Test process

Sucking on the test for 60 seconds, waiting 20 minutes, scanning it gives results.

Cortisol’s role

Cortisol affects metabolism, circadian rhythm, inflammation, and blood pressure.

Expert view

Endocrinologist Rachna Relwani says cortisol isn’t a stress meter.

“It isn’t a stress meter that tells us if you’re stressed at that moment in time”

Test limitations

Most tests aren’t regulated with sound data to back up their conclusions.

“Many of the at-home tests, she added, are not regulated with sound data to back up their conclusions”

Cortisol triggers

Severe stress, sleep apnea, and substance use can raise cortisol levels.

“Patients with severe psychiatric illness, patients who have alcohol and substance use disorder, patients who have severe sleep apnea, if you test their cortisol, it will be abnormally high”

Diet advice

Katie Whitson recommends tracking daily routines for better health.

Carbs matter

Eating carbs every few hours supports brain and heart function.

Test results

Late caffeine and wine caused out-of-range cortisol readings.

“out of range”

What’s next

I’ll go back to eating well, sleeping more, and enjoying life.