The Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) test is a non-invasive saliva test that serves as a reliable marker of stress response and a critical tool for revealing adrenal imbalances. Lifestyle, physical and psychological stresses put constant demands on the adrenal glands. If they become depleted adrenal fatigue or insufficiency may be experienced.
The Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) test is a unique assessment measuring the predictable rise and fall in cortisol within the first hour of awakening. The test is essential in evaluating the overall function of the HPA axis. In this particular test we measure cortisol immediately on rising, 30 minutes post waking, 60 minutes post waking, 12:00 (noon), 4:00pm and 8:00pm.
The CAR test allows your physician to determine how healthy your HPA axis is which useful in assessing the HPA-axis.
The CAR test is an appropriate tool in practice for most of your patients as it provides an easy assessment of their ability to deal with stressors and is also reflective of how well they have dealt with stressors in the past.
Common Conditions:
- Anxiety
- Headaches
- Brain Fog
- Energy levels
- Fatigue
- Salt cravings
- Mild depression
- Lack of stamina
- Sexual dysfunction
- Sleep disorders
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Blood pressure issues
- Impaired immune system
References:
Tsigos C, Chrousos GP. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, neuroendocrine factors and stress. Journal of psychosomatic research. 2002;53(4):865-871.
Fries E, Dettenborn L, Kirschbaum C. The cortisol awakening response (CAR): facts and future directions. IntJPsychophysiol. 2009;72(1):67-73.
Clow A, Hucklebridge F, Stalder T, Evans P, Thorn L. The cortisol awakening response: more than a measure of HPA axis function. NeurosciBiobehavRev. 2010;35(1):97-103.
Hackett RA, Kivimäki M, Kumari M, Steptoe A. Diurnal Cortisol Patterns, Future Diabetes, and Impaired Glucose Metabolism in the Whitehall II Cohort Study. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2016;101(2):619-625.
Hammer F, Deutschbein T, Marx A, et al. High evening salivary cortisol is an independent predictor of increased mortality risk in patients with systolic heart failure. International journal of cardiology. 2016;203:69-73.
