CortiCheck™ — Real time cortisol clarity. Anytime, anywhere.
- For people with adrenal insufficiency, chronic steroid dependence, or adrenal disorders, every day carries uncertainty. There is currently no fast, accessible way to know cortisol levels when symptoms spike or when an adrenal crisis is brewing. Lab tests take too long, require appointments, and often come back after the danger has already passed.
- CortiCheck™ changes that.
- It is being developed as the first handheld, finger stick cortisol test paired with smartphone integration, giving patients, caregivers, and clinicians real time insight into cortisol levels when it matters most.
- With CortiCheck™, steroid tapers become safer, crises can be identified earlier, and treatment decisions can be guided by immediate, meaningful data instead of guesswork.
- Created by people who live this reality and supported by a global network of scientists, clinicians, and advocates, CortiCheck™ aims to deliver precision, speed, and peace of mind for anyone who needs rapid cortisol information to stay safe.
CortiCheck™
Real-Time Cortisol Testing. In Your Hands.
No waiting. No guesswork. CortiCheck is the first handheld cortisol monitor being built by patients, for patients—designed to prevent adrenal crisis, support steroid tapering, and empower real-time decision-making.
Why CortiCheck?
Every year, thousands of people with adrenal insufficiency are hospitalized due to cortisol crashes known as an adrenal crisis. Without proper emergency intervention patients are at risk of shock, organ failure and death in as little as 30 minutes.
And yet—there’s still no FDA-cleared at-home cortisol test.
CortiCheck aims to change that.
- Portable, user-friendly design
- Fingerstick blood test with smartphone integration
- Designed for: Adrenal Insufficiency, Addison’s, Chronic Steroid Users, and more
Join the Movement
We’re in early development—and building it alongside the community.
Sign up below to get early access, behind-the-scenes updates, and pilot testing opportunities.
Or contact kirsten@united4rare.com
A Whirlwind Week: Harvard, Strategic Collaborations, and the Road Ahead
Setting the Table and Inviting Biotech to Dinner
Because right now, that test doesn’t exist. In emergency rooms, cortisol isn’t even ordered. It’s considered “non-urgent,” a send-out test that takes days to return — long after the crisis has passed. For people living with adrenal insufficiency, that gap can mean the difference between stabilization and catastrophe.
Learn more
From Harvard to What’s Next: CortiCheck’s Path Forward
From Harvard’s Global Genes Symposium to new biosensor partnerships, CortiCheck™ is gaining momentum. Founder Kirsten Norgaard shares milestones, challenges, and how you can help move this life-saving device from concept to patients.
Learn more
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is behind CortiCheck™?
CortiCheck™ was founded by Kirsten Norgaard, a rare disease advocate and mother to a son with adrenal insufficiency. With more than 17 years of experience supporting families, shaping policy, and working with global clinicians, she brings both professional expertise and personal dedication. The project is advanced under United4Rare LLC, with guidance from scientific advisors and external collaborators.
How far along is development?
CortiCheck™ is moving from concept into creation and validation.Human studies will follow as soon as protocols are finalized.
Will CortiCheck™ be tested globally?
Yes. We are preparing for a global clinical trial with partners across North America and Europe. International collaboration is a key part of ensuring access and diversity in the data we collect.
How is CortiCheck™ funded?
So far, CortiCheck™ has been supported entirely through community crowdfunding. While these donations have kept momentum alive, they are not pre-orders and do not guarantee access to the device. As a thank you, donors will be prioritized for early access once CortiCheck™ is ready.
At the same time, we are actively building a more robust fundraising strategy with our proposed new collaborators. This includes pursuing capital investment, grants, and global partnerships to ensure CortiCheck™ has the resources it needs to move through validation and into patient hands.
How do you ensure transparency and accountability?
Transparency is central to our work. We are committed to registering human studies on ClinicalTrials.gov and European registries once protocols are finalized. In the meantime, we rely on external advisors, scientific collaborators, and legal counsel to guide development and provide oversight. All patient stories, images, and videos are shared only with informed consent and used respectfully.
Our stories need to be told!
What would CortiCheck mean to you?
How could it change your life?
We're seeking testimonials and/or blogs for our innitiative.
Sharing our stories will help motivate investors and donors!
About The Founder
I’m Kirsten Norgaard, founder of CortiCheck™ and a long-time rare disease advocate, innovator, and health coach. For more than 17 years, I’ve worked on the frontlines of rare disease communities—supporting families, shaping policy, and partnering with clinicians and researchers to bring forward new solutions where none existed.
My son lives with adrenal insufficiency, a condition where timely cortisol monitoring can mean the difference between stability and a life-threatening emergency. That personal connection is why I’ve devoted my career to building the tools patients and caregivers truly need.
I’ve led legislative efforts, collaborated with global research teams, and helped design clinical trials—all while keeping the patient voice at the center. These experiences give me a unique ability to connect science, advocacy, and lived experience.
With CortiCheck™, I’m bringing that full background to one goal: to create the first real-time cortisol test. From concept to creation to validation, my mission is to ensure this technology reaches patients and families worldwide—quickly, safely, and with their needs guiding every step.
Contact Kirsten: kirsten@United4Rare.com