What is cortisol? Where is it produced? And what are your average values? These are some of the most general questions on this topic. They will be answered here.
In times of stress, our body launches a defense system to counteract the damage that the feeling of anxiety can cause. This system is activated by cortisol.
Generally, the presence of cortisol in the body is considered as something negative. But it must be taken into account that when released for a short time, it achieves beneficial effects for the organism.
What is cortisol, and what is it for?
Most people know that cortisol is related to stress, but what is it? Which are located just above the kidneys. This is released thanks to pituitary signals in the brain.
Cortisol secretion occurs in response to a stressful situation and when the blood has a low level of glucocorticoids. The essential functions of cortisol are as follows:
Increases sugar in the blood
Cortisol counteracts the effect of insulin, which contributes to the increase in blood glucose. It also increases glycogen synthesis in the liver. When glucose is released into the blood, the body achieves an appropriate energy level and stays alert.
Suppresses the immune system
Although this function is not the most advantageous, it should be known that the fact that cortisol inhibits the parts of the immune system makes it possible to use all the energy to control stress.
Regulates inflammation
The increase in this hormone in the body sensitizes the corticosteroid receptors of some immune cells. Therefore, it is the only one in charge of activating and deactivating an inflammation to protect the body from severe conditions.
Maintains blood pressure
This hormone regulates the levels of water and minerals present in the blood, thus influencing blood pressure, muscles, and bones.
What are average cortisol values?
The values in the blood vary during the day because this hormone is released depending on the degree of activity. Typically, the cortisol level in the morning is slightly higher than the level in the afternoon.
The reference values are the following:
- Morning : 5 to 25 µg/dL
- Afternoon : less than 10 mcg/dL
When a person has a cortisol level higher or lower than these values, this hormone is altered.
Sometimes a high level of this hormone can also be due to temperature changes or infection.
If a patient wants to know the values of this hormone in his body, he should have a cortisol test. This test can be carried out with blood, saliva, or urine samples.
What produces cortisol in the body?
The presence of high cortisol in the body is notorious because when the adrenal organs release it, the body manifests a series of specific symptoms. Among them are the following:
- Obesity or, on the contrary, weight loss.
- High blood sugar level.
- Susceptible skin.
- Muscular weakness.
- Problems in the menstrual cycle of women.
- Little growth.
- Low blood pressure.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Tiredness.
- Depression.
- Testosterone decreases.
The increase in cortisol is related to pathologies such as Cushing’s syndrome, Addison’s disease, or an adrenal crisis.
When excessively high levels of this hormone occur, patients may have more severe confusion and loss of consciousness. Hence the importance of performing a clinical analysis when presenting the initial symptoms.
How to lower cortisol levels in the body?
Elevated cortisol levels indicate that the body is unfavorable, so a specialist doctor must manage this imbalance.
What medications lower cortisol?
In general, doctors recommend medications to increase cortisol depending on the type of pathology that the patient presents, whether it is Cushing’s syndrome, Addison’s disease, or an adrenal crisis.
Medications such as ketoconazole, metopirone, and lysodren are recommended to control the symptoms caused by Cushing’s syndrome. In the case of Addison’s disease and adrenal crisis, hydrocortisone is prescribed.
Patients mustn’t self-medicate since the dose of these medications is different in each patient. This dose will depend on age, height, and weight. In addition, the doctor must assess whether the patient may have allergic reactions to the treatment.
What foods lower cortisol?
It is possible to lower the levels of this hormone by consuming protein-rich omega three and foods that contain vitamin C. Some of the most recommended foods in these cases are salmon, sardines, tuna, oranges, strawberries, walnuts, and olive oil.
Many people have also experienced beneficial effects from consuming black tea.
Another helpful recommendation to reduce cortisol in the blood is to exercise regularly but with low intensity. It would be best to try to respect the hours of sleep and avoid consuming caffeine and alcoholic beverages.
