Test ID: SB-641 | Sample Type: Saliva + Dried Blood Spot | Technology: LC-MS/MS | Results Time: 3–5 Working Days After Laboratory Receives Sample | Laboratory: ZRT Laboratory – CLIA Certified | Hormone Specialist Doctor Interpretation: Included | Suitable For: Adults and Children | Collect Sample At Home: No Clinic Visit Required
What Does This Test Measure?
Saliva — 4-Point Cortisol Profile: Morning, Noon, Evening, and Night Cortisol.
Blood Spot — CardioMetabolic Panel: Fasting Insulin, HbA1c, HDL Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Total Cholesterol, hsCRP.
10 markers total — an integrated assessment of the stress-metabolism axis and cardiovascular health in a single at-home kit.
Related Symptoms
Persistent fatigue, unexplained abdominal weight gain, sugar cravings, energy crashes, poor exercise recovery, elevated cholesterol or triglycerides on previous testing, blood sugar irregularities, chronic stress, burnout, insomnia, night waking, or brain fog.
Who Should Consider This Test?
- Persistent fatigue or exhaustion that does not improve with rest
- Unexplained weight gain, particularly around the abdomen
- Sugar cravings, energy crashes, or afternoon slumps
- Elevated cholesterol, triglycerides, or blood sugar on previous testing
- Poor exercise recovery or reduced physical performance
- Insomnia, night waking, or unrefreshing sleep
- Chronic stress or burnout
- Brain fog or low mood
- Men wanting a targeted cortisol and cardiometabolic assessment without a full sex hormone or thyroid panel
- Currently on TRT and wanting to understand whether cortisol or insulin resistance is limiting therapy effectiveness
- Family history of heart disease, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome
Why This Test Is Particularly Important for Men
- Cortisol is the primary hormonal driver of visceral fat, insulin resistance, testosterone suppression, and cardiovascular inflammation in men — four pathways assessed simultaneously by this panel
- The 4-point cortisol profile identifies which phase of the day is driving cardiometabolic deterioration — morning, midday, evening, or night — enabling targeted intervention that a single cortisol value cannot provide
- Fasting insulin is the earliest detectable marker of insulin resistance — elevated years before HbA1c becomes abnormal, directly promoting visceral fat, aromatase activity, and cardiovascular risk
- hsCRP is the convergence biomarker of cortisol dysregulation and insulin resistance — a stronger independent predictor of cardiovascular events than LDL cholesterol
- Night cortisol elevation suppresses overnight testosterone production and drives fasting insulin elevation simultaneously — detectable only by the 4-point assessment
Not Sure Which Test Is Right for You?
Email us at info@hormonelab.co.uk with your gender, age, symptoms, medications, and any current treatments. We will forward your enquiry to our doctors and respond within 24 hours.
How It Works
- Order your kit — delivered directly to your door
- Collect saliva at four time points (morning before 9am, noon, evening, night) and blood spot via finger-prick
- Post your samples to ZRT Laboratory using the return instructions provided
- Receive your full report by email within 3–5 working days
What You Receive
- All 10 marker results with male-specific reference ranges
- Visual cortisol rhythm chart showing your full four-point daily curve
- Visual charts for all six cardiometabolic markers
- Integrated clinical interpretation of how cortisol rhythm and cardiometabolic markers interact by a Hormone Specialist PhD Doctor
- Personalised next-step recommendations
- Laboratory fee included — no hidden charges
Why We Use ZRT Laboratory
All testing is performed by ZRT Laboratory — a globally recognised, CLIA-certified diagnostic laboratory founded in 1998 by Dr. David Zava, PhD. ZRT has performed over 11 million tests and is trusted by healthcare professionals in 96+ countries.
- Pioneers of at-home dried blood spot (DBS) and saliva hormone testing
- Advanced LC-MS/MS technology for clinical-grade accuracy
- Qualified for the CDC Hormone Standardization (HoSt) Program
- Personalised reference ranges based on age and sex
Through our partnership with ZRT Laboratory, Hormone Lab UK delivers internationally recognised, research-backed hormone testing to people across the UK and Europe — from the comfort of home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why test cortisol and cardiometabolic markers together?
Cortisol is the primary hormonal driver of visceral fat, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular inflammation in men. Assessing both together reveals the root cause and full extent of metabolic dysfunction that treating each marker in isolation misses.
Does this test include sex hormones or thyroid markers?
No. This profile focuses on the 4-point cortisol rhythm and cardiometabolic panel. For thyroid assessment alongside this panel, see the Male CardioMetabolic & Thyroid Test Kit (SB-642). For sex hormones and SHBG, see the Male Comprehensive Hormone, Thyroid & CardioMetabolic Profile (SB-646M).
Can I use this test if I am on TRT?
Yes. This test helps men on TRT understand whether cortisol dysregulation or insulin resistance is limiting therapy effectiveness or contributing to ongoing metabolic symptoms.
What is fasting insulin and why does it matter?
Fasting insulin is the earliest detectable marker of insulin resistance — elevated years before HbA1c becomes abnormal. In men, elevated insulin promotes visceral fat, drives estradiol conversion via aromatase, and independently raises cardiovascular risk.
Does the price include the laboratory fee?
Yes. The full laboratory analysis fee is included. There are no additional charges. You are only responsible for posting your samples to the laboratory.
How long is the kit valid for?
The kit must be used within 12 months of the purchase date.
