When you hear the word "cortisol," you might immediately think of stress. While cortisol is often called the "stress hormone," it actually plays a crucial role in several important bodily functions. Let's dive into what cortisol is, what it does, and what your cortisol levels might mean for your overall health.
What is cortisol and what does it do?
Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by your adrenal glands, which sit on top of your kidneys. While it's best known for regulating your body's stress response, cortisol is a multitasker that influences several key processes in your body:
- Metabolism: Cortisol helps regulate how your body uses blood sugar for energy
- Immune function: In small amounts, cortisol can help regulate immune responses by helping to control inflammation. However, consistently high levels of cortisol can lead to inflammation and weakened immunity
- Blood pressure: Cortisol is thought to play a role in regulating blood pressure. Chronically high levels of cortisol may be associated with high blood pressure, and lower cortisol levels may be associated with low blood pressure
- Sleep-wake cycle: Your cortisol levels are tied to your body's internal clock, or circadian rhythm. For most people, cortisol levels start to rise in the early morning hours, peaking shortly after waking up
What do your cortisol levels mean?
Your cortisol levels can provide important clues about your health. Both high and low levels of cortisol can be associated with various symptoms and health conditions.
High cortisol levels
When your body produces too much cortisol over a long-term period (i.e., hypercortisolism), it may be a sign of a condition called Cushing syndrome. Some symptoms may include:
- Weight gain, especially in the face and stomach
- Fatty deposits between the shoulder blades
- Purple stretch marks on the stomach
- Muscle weakness in the upper arms and thighs
- Frail skin that bruises easily
- Slow wound healing
- High blood sugar
- High blood pressure
- Excess hair growth in women (i.e., hirsutism)
- Irregular periods in women
- Weak bones
Low cortisol levels
On the other hand, if your body doesn't produce enough cortisol (i.e., hypocortisolism), it may be a sign of adrenal insufficiency, a condition that happens when the adrenal glands don’t make enough of certain hormones, including cortisol. Symptoms of low cortisol levels or adrenal insufficiency may include:
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Low blood pressure
Testing your cortisol levels
If you're curious about your body's stress response or experiencing symptoms that might indicate abnormal cortisol levels, testing your cortisol levels could provide valuable insights.
Labcorp OnDemand’s Cortisol Test measures the amount of this hormone in your blood and can help identify imbalances that may be associated with various health conditions. Cortisol levels naturally shift throughout the day, and levels tend to be highest in the morning, so it’s important to take the time of day into account when testing. Your results will have reference range intervals for morning and afternoon cortisol levels so you can see if you are in range for time of collection. However, it's important to note that this test is not intended to diagnose any specific medical condition. For proper interpretation of your cortisol test results and any necessary follow-up or additional testing, it's recommended that you consult with a healthcare provider.
Understanding your cortisol levels can be an important step in managing your overall health and well-being. By learning more about this crucial hormone and its effects on your body, you can take proactive steps towards maintaining a healthy balance.
