Inflammation and stress health is all about how your body reacts to challenges inside and out. Inflammation isn’t always the bad guy — it’s actually part of your immune system’s defense, helping you heal injuries and fight infection. Stress works in a similar way, gearing your body up to handle physical, emotional, or environmental demands. But when either one runs on overdrive, they stop being protective and start doing harm.
Your body’s stress and inflammatory responses are closely linked. Stress hormones like cortisol can influence immune function and contribute to chronic inflammation. Prolonged elevation of stress hormones is associated with conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and depression.
Monitoring these markers can provide insight into your body’s response, but it is not a diagnostic tool on its own. Monitoring inflammation and stress markers can help you understand how your body is responding to challenges and may offer early insight into potential risks. While lab tests don’t diagnose stress-related or inflammatory disorders on their own, they can be an important part of a bigger picture when combined with medical history, lifestyle, and guidance from your healthcare provider.
Advanced plan
Lab testing through Hers is built around key biomarkers that reflect how your body is performing across major health systems. Each test focuses on high-impact indicators chosen to give you the clearest picture of your well-being and where to take action next. Instead of testing everything, Hers zeroes in on the markers that matter most for guiding long-term health improvements.
Testing for inflammation and stress focuses on hormones and proteins that reflect your body’s internal response. These biomarkers help evaluate whether your body is under ongoing stress or dealing with low-level inflammation.
Cortisol Advanced plan
Cortisol is your main stress hormone, helping regulate energy, blood sugar, and inflammation, impacting how you focus, sleep, and recover. Healthy levels support a steady mood and resilience.
DHEA-S Advanced plan
DHEA-S is a hormone made by your adrenal glands. At a healthy level, it helps balance the effects of cortisol to support energy, mood, and long-term resilience.
With lab testing through Hers, you get clear results that span multiple areas of health — connecting the dots between your cardiovascular system, metabolism, hormones, liver, kidneys, nutrients, inflammation, immune function, blood health, stress, and even biological age. The results are explained clearly and simply, so you can easily understand what’s happening inside your body.
Beyond the numbers, Hers provides actionable insights into where you need to focus to improve your health. Each result comes with insights to help you make sense of your biomarkers and identify practical steps to support better outcomes.
If your results suggest areas for improvement, you’ll receive an action plan designed by experts that includes lifestyle guidance and, when deemed appropriate by a healthcare provider, prescription medication to help you reach your goals.
More than 2.4 million people trust Hims & Hers for accessible, science-backed care — from lab testing to ongoing health management.1
Who should get inflammation & stress testing and when?
Testing may be helpful if you:
• Have risk factors for chronic inflammation, such as obesity, smoking, or a family history of heart disease.
• Live with conditions linked to inflammation, like type 2 diabetes or autoimmune disorders.
• Experience ongoing stress, fatigue, sleep disruption, or mood swings.
Can lifestyle changes reduce inflammation and stress?
Yes. Regular exercise, quality sleep, balanced nutrition, and stress-reduction techniques like mindfulness meditation may help lower inflammation and improve stress resilience. The effects vary from person to person, and it’s best to discuss any lifestyle changes with a healthcare provider if you have chronic health conditions or want to prevent them.
Is hs-CRP a screening test for heart disease?
No. While hs-CRP can provide insight into inflammation, it’s not a stand-alone test for heart disease, as hs-CRP measures inflammation, not heart disease itself. Providers often use it alongside cholesterol and other cardiovascular risk assessments.
Do cortisol levels show if I’m “too stressed”?
Not directly. Cortisol levels vary naturally throughout the day. A single test can offer context, but should be interpreted with other health factors.
How often should I test for inflammation or stress markers?
There are no universal screening guidelines. Frequency depends on your personal risk factors and provider recommendations. Routine testing isn’t necessary for most people unless there’s a specific medical concern. However, when interpreted alongside your health history, test results can help provide a clearer picture of your overall health.
Find your baseline with 120 biomarker tests, then plan for your health breakthrough.
Reviewed by Felix Gussone, MD
Published 11/13/2025
