Cortisol blood test

<p>Detailed preparation guidelines will be provided after your booking is confirmed, usually via a calendar invitation. General preparations include:</p> <ul> <li>Fasting: If your check-up includes blood tests, an 8–12 hour fast (water is okay) is recommended. Please confirm specific requirements for your booked package.</li> <li>Attire: You can wear comfortable clothes. At the check-up appointment you will receive comfortable scrubs.</li> <li>Hydration: Drink 2–3 glasses (about 500ml) of water before your scan to stay hydrated.</li> <li>Exercise: Avoid heavy exercise for about 2 hours before your scan. If you have a blood test, avoid heavy exercise about 24 hours before.</li> <li>Metal: Do not wear any metal items such as jewelry or watches. If you have any metal implants, please inform us.</li> <li>Caffeine: If you are prone to jitters, avoid caffeine for at least 2 hours before the scan. If you booked a blood test, stay fasted and avoid caffeine on the day of your scan.</li> <li>Medication: Continue taking your regular medications unless your GP has advised otherwise.</li> </ul>

<p>Blood test results are typically available within 5–7 business days after your blood draw. You'll receive a notification when your interactive report is ready in the Ahead portal.</p> <p>If you booked a combined check-up (MRI + blood), both sets of results are delivered together in a single report. If you booked the <a href="/tests/omega-blood-test">Omega-3 &amp; 6 add-on</a>, the analysis may take longer, so your combined report may take up to 10 business days.</p> <p>Once your results are ready, you can schedule a follow-up consultation with one of our physicians to discuss them in detail. This consultation is included in the price of check-up packages. See our <a href="/report">sample report</a> to get an idea of what to expect.</p>

<p>Yes. We recommend fasting for 8–12 hours before your blood draw (water is fine and encouraged). This ensures accurate results for fasting glucose, insulin, triglycerides, and other metabolic markers.</p> <p>During the fasting period:</p> <ul> <li>Drink 2–3 glasses of water to stay well hydrated (this also makes the blood draw easier)</li> <li>Avoid food, coffee, tea, juice, and other beverages besides water</li> <li>Continue taking any prescribed medications unless your doctor advises otherwise</li> <li>Avoid intense exercise for 24 hours before the test</li> </ul> <p>If you have a morning appointment, the easiest approach is to stop eating after dinner the night before and drink water in the morning.</p> <p>If fasting isn't possible for medical reasons (e.g. diabetes), please let us know when booking and we'll advise on the best approach.</p>

<p>A standard GP blood test in Switzerland typically covers a basic panel: blood count, cholesterol, blood sugar, and sometimes liver and kidney values. It usually includes 10–15 markers and is ordered reactively when symptoms are present.</p> <p>The Ahead <a href="/tests/advanced-blood-test">Advanced blood test</a> is a preventive screening panel with 80+ biomarkers designed to catch early warning signs before symptoms appear. Key differences:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Broader scope:</strong> we include cardiovascular risk markers (ApoB, hs-CRP), metabolic health (HbA1c, HOMA-IR, Insulin), a full thyroid panel (TSH, fT3, fT4), and more, most of which are not part of a routine GP check.</li> <li><strong>Proactive approach:</strong> our panel is designed for preventive screening of healthy individuals, not diagnosis of existing symptoms.</li> <li><strong>Detailed reporting:</strong> your results come in an interactive online report with clear reference ranges, trend tracking, and personalized recommendations.</li> <li><strong>Physician review:</strong> every result is reviewed by a physician who can explain findings and suggest next steps. A follow-up consultation is included with check-up packages.</li> <li><strong>Optional add-ons:</strong> you can extend your panel with <a href="/tests/hormone-blood-test-women">hormones (women)</a> / <a href="/tests/hormone-blood-test-men">hormones (men)</a>, <a href="/tests/essential-b-vitamins-test">B-vitamins</a>, or <a href="/tests/omega-blood-test">Omega-3 &amp; 6</a>.</li> </ul> <p>For a deeper comparison, see our article on <a href="/insights/check-up-blood-test-vs-preventive-blood-test-what-is-the-real-difference">how a preventive blood test compares to a standard check-up</a>. You can also explore the <a href="/biomarkers">full list of biomarkers we test</a>.</p>

<p>No — please continue taking your medications and supplements as usual. This allows us to assess your health in the context of your real-life routine.</p> <p>Please include what you take and the dosage in your questionnaire so our medical team can interpret your results accurately.</p> <p>Please note:</p> <ul> <li>Creatine: may influence markers related to kidney function — please mention it in your questionnaire - Thyroid medication: please pause it 2 hours before your appointment</li> </ul>