Sleep Better: Discover the Root Cause of Insomnia with Test

How hormone patterns may affect your ability to sleep better

Sleep is a biologically regulated process influenced by hormones, including melatonin and cortisol, which follow a circadian rhythm. In a typical pattern, melatonin rises at night while cortisol falls; in the morning, cortisol increases and melatonin declines. Disruption to this rhythm may be associated with difficulty sleeping, fatigue and feeling “tired but wired”. Sleep problems can have many causes, and hormone testing alone cannot establish the cause of insomnia.

The Sleep Balance Profile measures melatonin, cortisol and cortisone throughout the day using dried urine samples. Samples collected at four key times provide information about daily hormone patterns rather than a single measurement. The first morning sample reflects overnight melatonin production, avoiding the need for nighttime sampling. Results should be interpreted alongside symptoms, medical history and advice from a qualified healthcare professional.

Stress, irregular schedules and exposure to artificial light can affect the body's sleep–wake rhythm. Evening cortisol and overnight melatonin patterns may provide useful information when assessing sleep concerns. However, results do not by themselves show whether sleep problems are caused by stress, circadian timing or another condition.

For people hoping to sleep better, consistent sleep schedules, appropriate light exposure and stress management may be useful starting points. A healthcare professional can help assess persistent insomnia and discuss suitable investigations or treatment. Hormone testing may form part of that assessment, but it is not a standalone diagnosis or a guarantee of improved sleep. 

Related Tests

LCMS Urine Diurnal Hormones Profile (UDH II) - Sleep Balance Profile + Diurnal Norepinephrine & Epinephrine