Private Blood Tests · Hormones & Endocrinology · Sutton Coldfield

Running on empty? Check your stress hormones

One blood draw, two key markers. Our Stress panel measures cortisol and DHEA-sulphate — the hormones at the heart of your body's stress response — so a clinician can help you understand how your adrenal system is coping. £156 · clinician-reviewed results · CQC-regulated.

Open 7 days · 8am–8pm · same-week appointments
Book now — £156 WhatsApp us
2key stress markers
Promptclinician-reviewed results
7 daysa week, 8am–8pm
£156all-inclusive, no referral
✓ CQC Regulated
★★★★★ 4.87/5 on Doctify · 700+ verified reviews
✓ Accredited UK laboratory
✓ Same-week appointments
Who it's for

When stress starts to show in your body

Sustained stress drives changes in cortisol and DHEA-sulphate that can affect sleep, weight, immunity and energy. This panel is a sensible step if any of these sound familiar.

Burnout or overload

Chronic fatigue and a sense of running on empty after a long period of high pressure.

Poor sleep

Difficulty switching off, broken sleep or waking unrefreshed despite an early night.

High-pressure work

Demanding roles where you want objective data to support how you manage stress.

Unexplained weight gain

Stubborn weight gain, particularly around the middle, that diet alone hasn't shifted.

Slow recovery

Struggling to bounce back from exertion, illness or training the way you used to.

A measurable baseline

You want hard numbers before and after a stress-management or lifestyle change.

£156 · cortisol & DHEA-S · prompt results

No referral needed · open 7 days · free on-site parking

Book my test — £156
What we check

The two hormones at the centre of stress

This focused panel looks at the balance between cortisol and DHEA-sulphate — the clearest blood-based snapshot of how your adrenal system is responding to stress.

Cortisol

Your primary stress hormone. Sustained highs or unexpected lows can both point to a stress response that has shifted out of its normal pattern.

1 marker

DHEA-sulphate

The hormone that counterbalances cortisol. Low DHEA-S is linked to fatigue, reduced libido and cognitive symptoms.

1 marker

Adrenal balance

Read together, cortisol and DHEA-S help a clinician judge your HPA-axis activity and adrenal stress burden.

Combined view
See all markers in this panel

Adrenal & stress hormones

CortisolDehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate (DHEA-S)

Measures morning serum cortisol and DHEA-sulphate — the two key markers of adrenal function and HPA-axis activity. This is a screening panel and does not replace a clinical diagnosis — every result is reviewed by a clinician.

How it works

Three simple steps

Book online

Choose a morning slot for the most useful cortisol reading. No referral needed — pay online or in clinic. Same-week and weekend slots available.

5-minute blood draw

Visit our Sutton Coldfield clinic for a quick, comfortable blood draw with one of our friendly clinical team. Free on-site parking.

Clinician-reviewed results

Your results are shared promptly once ready, reviewed by a clinician who explains what they mean and any sensible next steps.

Check availability & book — £156

Unit 3, The Courtyard, Sutton Coldfield B75 7BU · Open 7 days 8am–8pm

Related panels

If your symptoms could have more than one cause, these panels look more broadly at hormones and energy.

Comparison Table
PanelDepthBest forPrice
Stress Cortisol & DHEA-S Adrenal stress response £156
Thyroid 5 markers Suspected thyroid problem £148
Tired All The Time 44 markers Unexplained fatigue & low energy £217
Hormone Profile Focused Core reproductive & thyroid hormones £156

Browse all blood test panels at The Vesey →

Verified patient reviews

Rated 4.87/5 on Doctify

Real, independently verified feedback from patients of The Vesey Private Hospital.

Read all reviews on Doctify →
Frequently asked questions

Your questions, answered

What does the stress blood test measure?
It measures two key adrenal hormones: cortisol, the body's main stress hormone, and DHEA-sulphate, which counterbalances cortisol. Together they give a snapshot of your adrenal stress response and HPA-axis activity, helping a clinician identify or rule out problems such as an over- or under-active stress response.
When should the sample be taken?
Cortisol follows a daily rhythm and is highest in the morning, so a morning appointment gives the most useful result. Our team will advise on timing when you book.
How long do results take?
We process your sample promptly and contact you as soon as your clinician-reviewed results are ready — turnaround varies by test. Every result is reviewed by a clinician, who flags anything outside the normal range with a clear explanation and guidance on sensible next steps.
Do I need a GP referral?
No referral is needed. You can book directly online or by calling 0121 387 3727. Same-week appointments are available 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm.
Will this test diagnose burnout?
The test gives objective data on your adrenal hormones, which can support a conversation about stress, fatigue and recovery. It is a screening investigation and is not a substitute for a clinical diagnosis. A clinician reviews every result and explains what it means and any sensible next steps.
Can I claim this on private health insurance?
Self-funded blood tests are usually paid for directly rather than through insurance, as most insurers require a referral first. If you would like to use insurance, call us on 0121 387 3727 and our team will advise on the best route for your policy.

Understanding your Stress results

Each result in your Stress is reviewed by a clinician before release. Below is a plain-English guide to the key markers included in this panel.

Key Biomarkers

This panel assesses the key markers relevant to stress. Each result is reviewed by a clinician who will flag any values outside the expected range for your age and sex.

Reference Ranges

Reference intervals are population-derived and should be interpreted alongside your symptoms and clinical history — a result within range does not always exclude pathology, and a mildly out-of-range result may be clinically insignificant in isolation.

Reference ranges vary between laboratories and are influenced by age, sex, and other individual factors. This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace a clinical consultation. The Vesey reviews every result before it is released to you.

Further information: Lab Tests Online UK (British Society for Clinical Biochemistry) →

Ready when you are

See how your body is handling stress

One blood draw, cortisol and DHEA-S, prompt, clinician-reviewed results. The Vesey · Sutton Coldfield · open 7 days 8am–8pm.

Book now — £156 WhatsApp us WhatsApp
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References & further reading