Which tests measure Cortisol (LC-MS dried blood spot)?

Cortisol (LC-MS dried blood spot) is measured in 1 test on BiomarkersLabs.com, including Blood Spot LCMS Hormones 5 with SHBG.

Biomarker Reference · F

What does the Cortisol (LC-MS dried blood spot) test measure?

Q: What is the reference range for Cortisol (LC-MS dried blood spot)?

The standard reference range for Cortisol (LC-MS dried blood spot) is Time-of-day dependent; morning approximately 50–250 ng/mL, evening 20–100 ng/mL. Single dried blood spot less informative than diurnal salivary or serial sampling. ZRT platform-specific intervals apply.. Reference ranges vary by laboratory and assay platform — interpret in context of the issuing laboratory's stated range.

Cortisol (LC-MS dried blood spot) (F) is a clinical biomarker used in male-hormones assessment. Cortisol is the principal human glucocorticoid, secreted by the adrenal zona fasciculata in a pulsatile and circadian pattern with peak levels shortly after waking and a nadir near midnight. It is measured in 1 laboratory test on BiomarkersLabs.com.

Reference Range: Time-of-day dependent; morning approximately 50–250 ng/mL, evening 20–100 ng/mL. Single dried blood spot less informative than diurnal salivary or serial sampling. ZRT platform-specific intervals apply.
Units: ng/mL, nmol/L
Measured In: 1 test
Category: Male Hormones

Functional medicine optimalOptimal cortisol is context-dependent — appropriate diurnal rhythm matters more than absolute concentration. Functional practitioners interpret patterns across multiple time-points rather than isolated values.

What is Cortisol (LC-MS dried blood spot)?

Cortisol is the principal human glucocorticoid, secreted by the adrenal zona fasciculata in a pulsatile and circadian pattern with peak levels shortly after waking and a nadir near midnight. It circulates largely bound to cortisol-binding globulin, with 5–10 per cent free; dried blood spot reflects total circulating cortisol at the moment of collection. LC-MS avoids synthetic-steroid cross-reactivity that affects immunoassays.

Why is Cortisol (LC-MS dried blood spot) measured?

Cortisol measurement underpins the diagnosis of Cushing syndrome, adrenal insufficiency, and evaluation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. Because cortisol is highly time-dependent, a single random dried blood spot is less diagnostically robust than timed saliva or 24-hour urinary free cortisol; it serves better as a snapshot within a longitudinal or multi-point functional assessment.

Reference ranges

Standard reference: Time-of-day dependent; morning approximately 50–250 ng/mL, evening 20–100 ng/mL. Single dried blood spot less informative than diurnal salivary or serial sampling. ZRT platform-specific intervals apply.
Functional medicine optimal: Optimal cortisol is context-dependent — appropriate diurnal rhythm matters more than absolute concentration. Functional practitioners interpret patterns across multiple time-points rather than isolated values.
Units: ng/mL, nmol/L

Reference ranges vary by laboratory and assay platform. Interpret in context of the issuing laboratory's stated range.

Tests that measure Cortisol (LC-MS dried blood spot)

1 test on BiomarkersLabs.com include this biomarker.

BML-HRM-015Comprehensive

Blood Spot LCMS Hormones 5 with SHBG

Cortisol (LC-MS dried blood spot) reference range in this test: Time-of-day dependent; morning approximately 50–250 ng/mL, evening 20–100 ng/mL. Single dried blood spot less informative than diurnal salivary or serial sampling. ZRT platform-specific intervals apply.

Related clinical conditions

Related Biomarkers

Frequently measured alongside

Testosterone (LC-MS dried blood spot)T1 test Estradiol (LC-MS dried blood spot)E21 test Progesterone (LC-MS dried blood spot)P41 test Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate (LC-MS dried blood spot)DHEA-S1 test Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (dried blood spot)SHBG1 test Free Testosterone (calculated)Free T1 test

Order tests measuring Cortisol (LC-MS dried blood spot) for your patients

Available exclusively to verified licensed healthcare practitioners. CLIA-certified laboratory results delivered to your secure portal.