2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Cortisol is a hormone that is produced by cholesterol and belongs to the group of glucocorticoids. It is secreted by the adrenal glands after a signal from the pituitary gland.
Normally, each body produces between 10 and 30 mg of cortisol in 24 hours, and its levels vary during the day - in the morning they are highest and lowest in the evening and at night.
Cortisol is called stress hormone and this is not accidental - the main factor that stimulates its synthesis are different types of stress, which can be of different nature - consumption of harmful foods, intense exercise, trauma, strong emotions, malnutrition, lack of sleep, disease, pain test.
Benefits of cortisol
When cortisol is at normal levels, it brings only benefits to the body. Its normal secretion is important for a number of important processes. It reduces sensitivity to pain, increases the body's resistance, improves memory and ability to concentrate.
Harm from cortisol
High levels of cortisol for a long period brings a number of negatives. Gradually the immunity decreases, the secretion of the hormones testosterone and somatotropin decreases, the function of the thyroid gland is suppressed, there is an imbalance in the blood sugar, the blood increases, the cognitive abilities decrease.
Constantly reduces muscle tissue, increases adipose tissue, accelerates cell aging. High levels of cortisol cause ulcers, diabetes and stretch marks, reduced bone density, which is a major factor in the development of osteoporosis.
Symptoms of high cortisol
Symptoms of high cortisol are very different. A person suffering from such a problem begins to experience various mood swings - anxiety, depression and increased irritability. This is due to the fact that cortisol affects the synthesis of dopamine and serotonin.
As it turned out, the synthesis of cortisol is highest in the early morning, when a person needs to wake up and be fresh and energetic. People who have high cortisol in the morning feel tired, but in the evening they are refreshed.
Weight gain is gradual because cortisol not only stimulates the appetite, but also increases the desire for sweets. High levels of the hormone cause dehydration of the skin, which in turn leads to premature wrinkles and aging.
High cortisol, caused by constant stress, can cause an increase in blood pressure and thus increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Cortisol test
The cortisol test is ordered to determine its levels in the blood. Usually two blood samples are taken - one in the morning and one in the evening, because its levels are different. Most often, such a test is ordered to diagnose problems with the pituitary gland or adrenal glands.
Before the appointment of the study, one must prepare. For this purpose, physical activity is avoided the day before, and half an hour before the test itself lie down. Taking certain medications can change the results, so if a person takes pills, they should tell their doctor about them.
The test should not be performed after mental or physical stress, during pregnancy or with low blood sugar, while taking certain medications.
Deviations from the norms may be due to certain diseases and problems. High levels may be due to damage to the kidneys, liver, obesity, depression, hyperthyroidism. The most common cause is Cushing's syndrome.
Low cortisol levels may be caused by bleeding in an internal organ or Addison's disease.
Normal cortisol levels
Cortisol levels are the same in men and women. They can increase slightly in pregnant women and is physiological, ie there is no pathological etiology. All normal values in the body are relevant only if the person is completely healthy and there are no chronic diseases that affect them.
The hormone is measured in μg / L and nmol / L. However, the rate may vary depending on the time of day. For example, the norm for the morning hours is 91-235 μg / l (250-650 Nmol / l), while for the evening they are in the range of 18-101 mcg / l (50-280 Nmol / l). Indicators may vary slightly depending on the laboratory where the diagnosis was made. The peak time for an increase in cortisol is in the morning and in particular around 6-8 o'clock. The lowest value is in the evening after 20:00. This is always taken into account if a hormone analysis is performed.
Functions of cortisol in the body
Cortisol is needed by the body because it performs the following extremely important functions:
1. Actively participates in the metabolic processes of proteins in the body and thus reduces the level of their production in cells. In this way the catabolic processes in the body are actively stimulated;
2. Has an effect on the level of sodium and calcium in the bloodstream;
3. Affects lowering the level of sugar consumption by cells in the body and thus increases its concentration in the blood. It is important to know that elevated blood cortisol levels carry the risk of developing steroid diabetes;
4. Promotes the breakdown of fats and increases the level of free fatty acids, which makes it possible to supply the body with enough energy;
5. Actively participates in the processes of blood pressure regulation;
6. Helps in the presence of an inflammatory process, stabilizing the membranes of cellular lysosomes, actively affecting the immune system and reducing the permeability of the vessel wall.
Elevated cortisol levels in response to stressful situations
All the stressors that affect a person cause his nervous system to send signals to the hypothalamus. This, in turn, leads to an increase in the production of corticotropin (CRH), which reaches the pituitary gland through the bloodstream. The pituitary gland, after receiving a large amount of CRH, begins to produce adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).
Once ACTH enters the adrenal glands through the blood, it begins to synthesize the hormone cortisol. It also travels through the bloodstream and can "travel" to any target cell in the body. These are usually the so-called hepatocytes with which it binds, as they contain the necessary protein.
This is followed by the start of quite complex processes and reactions in the body, as a result of which a number of genes are activated. There is an increase in the level of special proteins in the body. It is these proteins that account for the body's response to the stress factor.
Conditions leading to increased cortisol
The following conditions can lead to elevated cortisol levels:
1. Cushing's disease;
2. Neoplasms of the adrenal cortex;
3. A number of stressors that can occur in people with certain diseases;
4. Diseases of the nervous system;
5. Infectious pathologies in its acute stage;
6. In cancer, when the entry of endocrine cells into the pancreas, thymus or lungs occurs;
7. Diabetes mellitus;
8. Clinical death or coma;
9. If you need to take different hormonal preparations, such as estrogens or corticosteroids;
10. Alcohol poisoning;
11. In the presence of asthma;
12. If amphetamines are taken;
13. Pathologies of the kidneys or liver, in particular those in the acute stage;
14. For smokers with many years of experience;
15. People with a more unstable psyche, who react quite sharply to stressful situations;
16. In people suffering from overweight;
17. Taking hormonal preparations for a long period of time;
18. During pregnancy and after the birth of the child.
Symptoms of persistently high blood cortisol
If for some reason the level of cortisol in the body is constantly elevated (even if it is due to pathology), it will lead to certain changes:
1. Decreased intellectual abilities, because in this case the nervous system suffers;
2. Inevitable changes in the hormonal background will occur, which will also have an effect on the thyroid gland;
3. Rise in blood pressure, which leads to the danger of a hypertensive crisis;
4. Increased appetite, which can cause weight gain;
5. Sleep problems;
6. The risk of heart attack increased many times;
7. Lowering the body's immune defenses, which can become a provoking factor for various diseases.
If you have any of the above symptoms, you should contact a doctor in a timely manner to determine the cause.
Causes of persistently low cortisol
1. Addison's disease of various etiologies. In each case, there is a decrease in cortisol levels due to problems with the adrenal glands;
2. In case of pathology that affects the work of the pituitary gland;
3. If the thyroid gland does not work properly, which leads to the fact that it does not produce all the necessary hormones. As a result, and lowering cortisol levels in the bloodstream;
4. Hormone therapy with some medications for a longer time;
5. Deficiency of enzymes involved in the production of the hormone cortisol;
6. Liver damage: hepatitis or cirrhosis;
7. Gout.
Determination of cortisol levels in urine
To determine the level of this hormone, it is important to give not only blood but also urine for testing. Only in this way will the results be as reliable as possible. It is also important at what time of the day the test is done, as hormone levels are affected by this.
It is possible that its level is elevated if a person suffers from Cushing's syndrome, against the background of some mental illness or under the constant influence of stressful situations. Elevated levels of cortisol in the urine are most common if a person suffers from hypoglycaemia, overweight, inflammation of the pancreas, or if they frequently abuse alcohol. It is important to keep in mind that recent injuries or surgeries may also affect the outcome.
In case of decreased cortisol levels, this may be due to many factors - pathologies of autoimmune etiology, neoplasms, Addison's disease and others. It should be noted that the level of so-called free cortisol is determined in the urine. When reading the data obtained, it should always be borne in mind that even active training can lead to an increase in cortisol levels, or in other words - it is not always due to some pathology.
Regulation of cortisol
Avoiding persistently elevated cortisol levels is an important prerequisite for good health. To prevent the negative consequences, everyone should try to follow a few basic rules. First of all, it is necessary to reduce stress as much as possible.
He is basic culprit for high cortisol and must be adjusted. Good sleep is important, overwork should be replaced with moderate. Drastic diets are avoided, and food must be of good quality and complete. Coffee and energy drinks should be reduced, cigarette smoke should be avoided.
Daily stress caused by commitments, immobility, caffeine, alcohol and cigarette intake, lack of sleep and eating imbalance should be replaced by exercise, yoga and meditation, a complete change in lifestyle.
Nutrition and cortisol
As with many other hormones, nutrition is one of the most important factors in maintaining normal cortisol levels.
In order to maintain cortisol levels, especially in actively exercising people, an appropriate diet should be established, which includes about 6 meals a day, divided into small portions. Severely reduced caloric intake can increase cortisol levels by up to 40%.
The increase in cortisol is also obtained from the consumption of foods with too much sugar, chocolate and coffee, foods with very high fat content.
Garlic is one of the most beneficial foods in terms of cortisol control. This is due to the fact that it is rich in vitamin C.
