欧博abgCortisol: What It Is and How To Control It
The hormone cortisol regulates your stress response, metabolism, and immune functions.
Too much or too little cortisol may be a sign of an underlying condition.
Avoiding stress, eating well, and practicing relaxation helps manage cortisol levels.
Cortisol, or hydrocortisone, controls your body's stress response and metabolism. Adrenal gland tumors and autoimmune diseases can disrupt normal levels.
What Does Cortisol Do in Your Body?Cortisol has multiple functions and affects almost every organ system in the body. The hormone plays essential roles in the cardiovascular, immune, and nervous systems.
Functions of cortisol include:
Small structures in the brain called the hypothalamus and pituitary gland regulate cortisol levels. If cortisol levels are low, the hypothalamus releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH).
CRH tells the pituitary gland to secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which signals the adrenal glands to make more cortisol.
What Are Normal Cortisol Levels?Normal cortisol levels will range from 5–25 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL) around 8 a.m. Cortisol levels usually change throughout the day. The hormone peaks in the morning and then steadily decreases until it reaches its lowest point at night.
A cortisol test measures the amount of the hormone in your body. A healthcare provider will take two samples of your blood at different times of the day. The first will be in the morning when your cortisol levels are highest. The second will be later in the day or evening when cortisol levels are lower.
You can also take a urine or saliva test at home. You may need to collect all of your urine during a 24-hour period. A saliva test involves collecting your spit using a swabbing kit before you go to bed.
It's normal for cortisol levels to increase slightly from time to time, especially as a response to stress. Your levels will return to normal once the stressful event has passed. Cortisol levels can sometimes remain elevated.
Health conditions and other factors that might raise your cortisol include:
Signs of Too Much CortisolExcess cortisol levels may cause signs and symptoms like:
A fatty deposit at the base of the neck and between the shoulder blades
Bruising easily
Hypertension, or high blood pressure
Hirsutism, or excess hair growth
Muscle weakness
Osteoporosis, which causes brittle bones and increases fracture risk
Purple streaks on the breasts, hips, stomach, and under the arms
Thin arms and legs
Weight gain
What Causes Low Levels?It's also possible to have too little cortisol. Health conditions and other factors that might result in decreased cortisol levels include:
Signs of Too Little CortisolDecreased cortisol levels may cause signs and symptoms like:
How To Control Your Cortisol LevelsSome changes in cortisol levels are normal and do not require intervention. You may need treatment if your cortisol levels are very high or low for extended periods.
Lower Cortisol LevelsIf stress is the culprit, you can take several steps to get your cortisol levels down. You can manage stress by:
You may require medical or surgical treatment if you have Cushing's syndrome, depending on the cause. Surgery, for example, can remove a tumor in the adrenal glands. Other methods to remove a tumor might include chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
If corticosteroids are the cause, a healthcare provider will have you slowly reduce the use of them. They may replace the drug with another that will not increase cortisol.
Raise Cortisol LevelsYou will likely need medical treatment to treat Addison's disease or damage to the adrenal glands. Treatment for Addison's disease typically involves hormone replacement therapy. A healthcare provider can prescribe a corticosteroid to replace the function of cortisol in your body.
An adrenal crisis is a medical emergency that occurs if your cortisol levels suddenly drop very low. Treatment for an adrenal crisis includes intravenous (IV) injections of saline to hydrate, dextrose (sugar) to raise blood sugar, and corticosteroids to boost cortisol levels.
When Should You See a Doctor?Contact a healthcare provider if you have symptoms of too much or too little cortisol. Get medical attention right away if you have an adrenal crisis. Symptoms include:
A healthcare provider will administer a cortisol test to check how much of the hormone is in your body. If your cortisol levels are too high or too low, it does not always mean you have an underlying illness.
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Follow Us OnA healthcare provider can talk to you about your results and whether or not you need further testing. They can also discuss ways to lower or increase your cortisol.