Test Details
Lab Company: ZRT Laboratory
Sample Type: Saliva
Collection Location: At Home
The Diurnal Cortisol test measures cortisol levels throughout a single day. It helps assess adrenal hormones and adrenal gland function.
Key Details
💊 You must avoid certain medications before sample collection.
❌ You must avoid certain activities for 2 hours before sample collection.
☀️ Collect your first sample upon waking.
🧊 Freeze your samples if they are not shipped within 24 hours of collection.
🚚 Ship samples back to the lab as soon as possible after collection.
Preparation & Timing
You can collect your sample at any time.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any of these medications. They may affect test results.
Hormone troches
Sublingual hormones
Steroids
Collect your sample halfway between doses of these medications.
Hormone patches
Vaginal rings
Hormone pellets
Hormone injectables
3 Days Before Collection
DO NOT take 7-Keto DHEA.
DO NOT use anti-aging/anti-wrinkle face creams.
2 Days Before Sample Collection
DO NOT apply topical hormones with your bare hands.
Use latex gloves, an applicator, or a hormone-loaded syringe.
DO NOT apply topical hormones on your face, lips, and neck.
1 Day Before Sample Collection
If you use topical hormones, change your sheets, pillowcases, and hand towels the night before collection.
DO NOT touch any surfaces that may be contaminated with topical hormones.
Take any night oral or topical hormones at least 12 hours before sample collection.
Day of Collection
Avoid the following activities for at least 2 hours before collection.
Eating
Drinking anything but water
Brushing your teeth
Collect your first sample within 30 minutes of waking.
Collection Instructions
You will collect four samples throughout the day. Follow the schedule below:
If you make a mistake collecting your sample:
Rinse the collection tube out with hot water ONLY.
Shake out the remaining water.
Let the tube air dry.
Re-collect at the appropriate time the next day.
Wash your hands with soap and water.
Use a clean towel to dry your hands.
Rinse your mouth with water.
Wait 5 minutes before beginning collection.
Allow saliva to pool in your mouth.
If you have trouble producing saliva, try
Yawning
Thinking of your favorite food
Touching your tongue to the roof of your mouth.
Transfer saliva to the sample tube.
Fill the tube at least half full, not including bubbles.
This may take 15-30 minutes.
Cap the tube securely.
Write the following information on the tube.
Patient's full name
Date of collection
Time of collection
Place the tube back into the bag.
Repeat steps 1-10 for all of the collections. Follow the schedule above.
Requisition & Payment
Your kit has been prepaid. You DO NOT need to pay anything extra.
You must complete your requisition form and send it back with your samples.
Since you pre-paid for your tests, you do not need to fill in the payment information on this form.
Shipping
Ship samples as soon as possible after collection.
Freeze your samples if you are not shipping within 24 hours of collection.
To prepare your samples for shipping,
Place the sample tubes into the bag.
Place the sample tube bag into the test kit box.
Place the completed test requisition form into the test kit box.
Place the test kit box into the provided, prepaid return envelope.
Affix the prepaid label or postage to the envelope.
Make a note of your return tracking number so that you can track your sample back to the lab.
Results
Results should be released to your provider 3-5 business days after samples are received at the lab. Rupa Health cannot guarantee processing time.
More Resources
Questions?
Reach out to Rupa Health via the chat in your patient portal.