Plasma cortisol level is an index for functional state of adrenal cortex during pregnancy.

Measurement of plasma cortisol is necessary in assessing the functional state of the adrenal cortex and the availability of other active steroids to the tissues during pregnancy. Coupled with clinical endocrine tests, these determinations can give the physician a good indication of the type of disorder present e.g. Addison's diseases, panhypopituitarism and adrenal hyperfunction. The method used for estimation of venous plasma cortisol when adequately controlled, is very sensitive and accurate.