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Diurnal Cortisol Patterns

Meaning

Diurnal Cortisol Patterns describe the characteristic, cyclical fluctuations in the circulating concentration of the stress hormone cortisol over a 24-hour period in a healthy human. This pattern is distinguished by a rapid surge immediately upon waking, known as the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR), followed by a progressive, steady decline throughout the day, reaching its lowest point around midnight. Clinically, analyzing this pattern through salivary or serum testing is essential for evaluating the functionality of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis.