Summary
| Direction in Major Depressive Disorder | ↑ Elevated — higher than in the comparison group |
|---|---|
| Category | Endocrine |
| Compared against | MDD patients vs healthy controls (HPA axis dysregulation) |
| Test type | Blood test (serum / plasma / whole blood) |
| LOINC code | 2143-6 |
| Source | Nobis et al. 2020 — doi:10.3390/jcm9123793 |
| Condition atlas | Major Depressive Disorder Biomarker Atlas |
Other conditions where Cortisol is reported
- Cortisol (diurnal) in Gulf War Illness — ↕ inconsistent vs HGV
- Cortisol in Long COVID — ↕ inconsistent vs HC
- Cortisol (diurnal rhythm) in ME/CFS — ↕ inconsistent vs HC
See the cross-condition hub: Cortisol across conditions.
Related Endocrine markers in Major Depressive Disorder
Full list: Major Depressive Disorder Biomarker Atlas.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cortisol high or low in Major Depressive Disorder?
Elevated. Studies summarised in the OSMF atlas report higher Cortisol in Major Depressive Disorder than in the reference group of the cited comparison (MDD patients vs healthy controls (HPA axis dysregulation)). Source: Nobis et al. 2020.
Which test measures Cortisol?
It is measured as a blood test (serum / plasma / whole blood). The standard laboratory code is LOINC 2143-6. Many of the cited studies used research-grade assays, so clinical availability may vary.
Is one abnormal Cortisol result diagnostic of Major Depressive Disorder?
No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of Major Depressive Disorder. Cortisol findings come from group comparisons, overlap considerably between patients and controls, and vary with study design, timing and comparison group. A result should be interpreted by a clinician alongside symptoms, history and other tests.
Is Cortisol specific to Major Depressive Disorder?
No. The same marker is also reported in Gulf War Illness, Long COVID, ME/CFS in this atlas, so it reflects shared biology (for example inflammation or vascular stress) rather than a condition-specific signature.
Cite this page
Subscribe on Substack
Last reviewed: 2026-07-03 · Page generated from major-depressive-disorder.json · Browse: Major Depressive Disorder atlas · Biomarker Index · All marker pages
Disclaimer: This page is an educational synthesis of published, peer-reviewed research and is not medical advice. Biomarker findings vary across studies with case definitions, comparison groups, timing and assay methods. Direction of change reflects the predominant finding in the cited source and does not establish a diagnostic threshold. Discuss any test result with a qualified clinician.