What is Morning Cortisone And Why Does the Hormone Zoomer Test for It?

Adrenal stress metabolite

Morning cortisone is the inactive metabolite of cortisol that appears in saliva and urine after overnight adrenal activity. Measuring it helps map morning adrenal output and aspects of cortisol timing, which informs assessments of daily stress signaling when seen with other Hormone Zoomer markers.

View Hormone Zoomer

Morning Cortisone

Quality and Security

High-quality testing run in a CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited lab in Santa Clara, California.

fortified-health-HIPAA-compliance-pqgjtx4popoe2n0arp68hrz8h2as5rlhgng5b2srk8 1

About Morning Cortisone

${ activeTab.tab_content.text }

View ${ activeTab.tab_content.btn_label }

About Morning Cortisone

Overview and History

Cortisone is a glucocorticoid metabolite formed from cortisol through enzyme-driven interconversion. Biochemically it belongs to the steroid hormone family and is commonly measured in saliva or urine to track adrenal activity and cortisol metabolism. Clinically, patterns in cortisone reflect both systemic adrenal secretion and local tissue conversion by 11β-HSD enzymes. Its measurement has been used in research and practice to study circadian stress rhythms, the Cortisol Awakening Response, and how peripheral tissues regulate active cortisol exposure over the day.

Interpreting Highs and Lows

Elevated morning cortisone can reflect greater overnight or early-morning adrenal output, increased conversion of cortisol to cortisone, recent exposure to external glucocorticoids, or altered clearance. Low morning cortisone may indicate reduced adrenal-derived cortisol release overnight, increased conversion of cortisone back to cortisol in tissues, timing issues with sample collection, or other factors that blunt morning adrenal signaling. Accurate interpretation depends on the full Hormone Zoomer context — parallel cortisol timepoints, CAR pattern, urinary metabolites, DHEA, and patient history help distinguish production versus metabolism or external influences.

Featured Test

Morning cortisone is included in the Hormone Zoomer to capture morning adrenal activity and cortisol metabolism as part of the Cortisol Awakening Response and diurnal rhythm mapping. It helps differentiate whether shifts in cortisol signaling are driven by production, peripheral conversion, or exposure, informing pattern-based, personalized interpretation alongside sex hormones, metabolites, and toxin or oxidative markers.

View Hormone Zoomer

Morning Cortisone FAQs

What is Morning Cortisone and why is it important?

Morning cortisone is the inactive breakdown form of cortisol that shows up after overnight adrenal activity. It matters because its level helps describe how the body’s stress system activates upon waking and how cortisol is handled by tissues. That timing affects energy, sleep-wake rhythms, and how the body responds to daily stressors.

What does it mean if my Morning Cortisone levels are low?

Low morning cortisone may suggest lower overnight adrenal output or shifts in local enzyme activity that convert cortisone back to active cortisol. It can also reflect sample timing or other influences like medication exposure. Interpreting a low value requires comparison with morning cortisol, later-day samples, and other Hormone Zoomer markers to understand production versus metabolism.

What does it mean if my Morning Cortisone levels are high?

High morning cortisone can indicate greater overnight cortisol exposure, increased conversion of cortisol to its inactive form, or recent external glucocorticoid exposure. Elevated values point to altered morning stress signaling but need to be reviewed with cortisol timepoints, urinary metabolites, and clinical context for accurate pattern interpretation.

Why is Morning Cortisone measured in the Hormone Zoomer?

Measuring morning cortisone helps map adrenal timing and cortisol metabolism as part of the panel’s day-long stress profile. It adds a metabolic perspective to raw cortisol levels, improving the ability to distinguish production versus conversion effects and supporting more precise, pattern-based clinical interpretation.

Browse Articles

Introducing Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) Thumbnail

Introducing the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR): Raising the Bar in Hormone Health Insights

Hormones regulate nearly every system in the body, metabolism, mood, sleep, fertility, and resilience to stress. When these rhythms are disrupted, the...

Christopher McLaughlin

Nov 4, 2025

Hormones Research & Innovation

Menopause: Managing Autoimmunity in the Post-Ovarian Centric Landscape

For women, menopause marks the end of reproductive capacity, but not the end of hormone activity. Once ovarian hormone production stops, the body depe...

Alison Bame, RD, CFMP

Sep 8, 2025

Hormones

When Hormone Cycles Collide with Autoimmunity

Understanding Menstrual-Driven Immune Flares and Clinical Testing Strategies Many women with autoimmune conditions report that their autoimmune sympto...

Alison Bame, RD, CFMP

Jul 14, 2025

Hormones Autoimmunity

Endocrine Disruptors & Hormone Imbalance: What You Don’t Eliminate Can Hurt You

When it comes to hormone health, the hormones that your body makes are only half the story. What the body eliminates—or doesn’t—is just as critical. E...

Kate Motz, FDN-P, NBC-HWC

Jul 14, 2025

Hormones

About Vibrant:

The Experts Behind  Every Test

Our team is built on collaboration across disciplines to advance the science of wellness and longevity. At Vibrant Wellness, lab scientists, technologists, clinical researchers, doctors, practitioners, longevity advisors, engineers, and regulatory experts work side by side to transform diagnostics.

By uniting diverse expertise under one mission, we pioneer precision testing that empowers providers to uncover root causes, personalize care plans, and optimize patient health outcomes. Every test we develop reflects this commitment—to push boundaries in functional medicine, deliver clear, actionable insights, and support clinicians in helping patients live healthier, longer lives.

View All Tests

Results trusted by over 18,000 functional wellness professionals

We’re the leading provider of specialty wellness lab testing because we develop our testing with rigorous, ongoing research by top clinical experts, doctors, and scientists.

The gold standard of accuracy in  the lab industry

Our tests run on a proprietary 3Dense microchip technology platform that boasts unrivaled specificity and sensitivity. While most other labs carry only CLIA certification, we're CAP-accredited by the College of American Pathologists.

Our Clinical Support Team

We understand that patient care doesn't end with diagnosis. To achieve Vibrant health, patients need clinical support and
obtainable lifestyle changes. Our clinical support team helps providers make informed treatment recommendations, resulting in  better patient outcomes.

Mary Beth Augustine

DCN, RDN, FAND- Lead Clinical Educator

Suzanne Barker

MS, RDN, LD, CTTS, CGP- Clinical Educator

Suzette Garcia

MSc- MHNE- Clinical Educator

Brooke Mader Ganev

MS, CNS, LDN, FDN- Clinical Educator

Adair Anderson

MS, RDN, LDN- Clinical Educator

Lillie Luu Nguyen

DCN, CNS, LDN- Clinical Educator

Jason Barker

ND- Clinical Educator

Emaline Brown

ND- Clinical Educator

Dana Filatova

DCN, CNS, LDN- Clinical Educator

Jessy Dhanjal

ND- Clinical Educator

Nour Amri

MS, LDN, CNS, CKNS- Clinical Educator

Ready to Elevate Your Approach to Precision Wellness?

At Vibrant Wellness, we’re redefining the future of diagnostics—making complex science clear, accessible, and actionable. Whether you're a provider advancing personalized care or a patient seeking data-driven answers, our precision testing gives you the clarity to make informed decisions. Experience the next generation of functional medicine through clinically validated insights and seamless testing solutions.

Become a Provider

Become a Patient