Biomarker Reference · Cortisol-Aw
Cortisol (awakening) (Cortisol-Aw) is a clinical biomarker used in adrenal-stress assessment. Cortisol at awakening represents the nadir of the diurnal cycle. It is measured in 2 laboratory tests on BiomarkersLabs.com.
Cortisol at awakening represents the nadir of the diurnal cycle. The adrenal cortex secretes cortisol under pituitary ACTH control with a strong circadian rhythm — levels are lowest during sleep and rise sharply in the first 30–45 minutes after waking (the cortisol awakening response), peak in mid-morning, then decline through the afternoon and evening. Salivary cortisol correlates with free (unbound) plasma cortisol, the biologically active fraction.
The awakening sample establishes the baseline from which the cortisol awakening response is measured. Blunted awakening cortisol may reflect exhaustion or suppression; markedly elevated awakening cortisol can signal chronic stress activation or endogenous hypercortisolism, though salivary ranges differ from plasma and single timepoints require cautious interpretation.
Reference ranges vary by laboratory and assay platform. Interpret in context of the issuing laboratory's stated range.
2 tests on BiomarkersLabs.com include this biomarker.
Cortisol (awakening) reference range in this test: Salivary cortisol upon waking typically 6–25 nmol/L; Ayumetrix-specific intervals apply.
Cortisol (awakening) reference range in this test: Approximately 6–21 nmol/L in saliva; method- and time-specific.
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