Cortisol is often called the "stress hormone," but it plays a role in many aspects of our health. It's a steroid hormone made by the adrenal glands that affects metabolism, blood sugar, blood pressure, immune function, inflammation, sleep-wake cycles and our stress response. But what exactly is the relationship between cortisol and stress? How do stress levels impact our overall health? When should we be concerned that stress is affecting our cortisol levels and potentially harming our health? Let's explore these questions and more.
The relationship between cortisol and stress
Our body releases cortisol when we experience any type of stressor. This includes short-term (acute) stress, like rushing to meet a deadline, and long-term (chronic) stress, such as ongoing financial worries. When we're stressed, a part of our brain called the hypothalamus activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This signals the adrenal glands to release a surge of hormones, including cortisol and adrenaline.
During a stress response, cortisol increases blood sugar (glucose) in our bloodstream and enhances our brain's use of glucose. It also changes our body's priorities by altering immune response and suppressing non-essential functions like digestion, reproduction and growth processes.
The impact of long-term stress and elevated cortisol
Stress is a natural response that helps us adapt to new situations. In moderate or short-term amounts, stress can have beneficial effects, such as sharpening focus and boosting energy. These responses help the body adapt to challenges. However, chronic stress and increased cortisol can negatively affect our health. A constant stress response in our body can cause various symptoms, including:
- Aches and pains
- Trouble sleeping
- Racing heart
- High blood pressure
- Headaches
- Muscle tension
- Jaw clenching
- Stomach problems
- Mood changes like depression or anxiety
If we don't find healthy ways to cope with chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels, it may lead to long-term health issues that affect multiple parts of the body, including the immune system, digestive health, heart health, and reproductive health.
Keep in mind that these symptoms may have numerous possible causes beyond stress, so it’s important to talk about these concerns with your healthcare provider, who can help determine whether cortisol testing may be appropriate.
Managing stress and checking cortisol levels
How we perceive and respond to stress can impact how it affects our body and health. It's important to find healthy ways to cope with and manage stress, such as:
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Breathing exercises
- Practicing healthy nutrition
- Getting enough sleep
- Building connections with friends, family and loved ones
If you want to learn more about your body’s stress response, consider checking your cortisol levels. Labcorp OnDemand offers a Cortisol Test that measures cortisol levels in your blood and can help identify abnormalities that may be associated with various health conditions. Since cortisol levels tend to be highest in the morning and naturally shift throughout the day, it’s important to consider the time of day when testing your levels. Your results will include reference range intervals for morning and afternoon cortisol levels to show if you are in range for time of collection. However, it’s important to keep in mind that this test is not intended to diagnose any specific medical condition and should be completed as a fasting test in the morning for accurate results. It's always recommended to consult a healthcare provider for proper interpretation of cortisol test results.
While stress is a part of life, managing it effectively is key to maintaining good health and balanced cortisol levels.
