A cortisol level is a blood test that measures the amount of cortisol, a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex.
Serum cortisol
Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
Next, the health...
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