Cortisol^baseline

Cortisol is a stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands that follows a daily rhythm, typically highest in early morning and lowest at night. A baseline (morning) cortisol test measures cortisol level at a specific time to assess adrenal function. Low baseline cortisol suggests adrenal insufficiency, causing fatigue, weakness, and low blood pressure. High baseline cortisol may indicate Cushing's syndrome, causing weight gain, muscle weakness, and mood changes. This test is often the first step in evaluating adrenal disorders and is part of broader testing protocols that include dynamic suppression tests for diagnosis.