Your cortisol levels might rise as a result of stress and other medical disorders, which can cause a variety of symptoms like exhaustion, acne, weight gain, and more. While everyone periodically has elevated cortisol levels as a result of the body’s normal reaction to stress, persistently elevated levels may point to underlying medical conditions known as hypercortisolism or Cushing syndrome.
What is Cortisol?
Your adrenal glands produce the steroid hormone cortisol, which is controlled by the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. It is essential for several biological processes, such as blood sugar regulation, inflammation reduction, metabolism regulation, and memory formation. Excess cortisol, however, can interfere with these processes and cause negative side effects..
Symptoms of High Cortisol
- Too much cortisol can manifest in various ways, including:
- Weight gain, especially around the midsection and face
- Acne and thinning skin
- Easy bruising and slowed healing
- Muscle weakness and severe fatigue
- Irritability, difficulty concentrating, and headaches
- High blood pressure
Causes of High Cortisol Levels
- Stress: Chronic stress can cause your adrenal glands to continuously release cortisol. This prolonged release negatively impacts your body, raising the risk of heart disease, anxiety, depression, and obesity.
- Pituitary Gland Issues: The pituitary gland can sometimes overproduce adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which stimulates cortisol production. This is often due to benign tumors or other disorders of the pituitary.
- Adrenal Gland Tumors: Benign or malignant tumors on the adrenal glands may lead to excessive cortisol secretion, sometimes causing pain or a feeling of fullness in the abdomen.
- Medication Side Effects: Certain medications, including corticosteroids used for asthma and arthritis, can increase cortisol levels when taken in high doses or over extended periods.
Diagnosis and Treatment
It is crucial to speak with a physician if you believe your cortisol levels are elevated. Measurements of cortisol levels in the blood, urine, or saliva as well as imaging tests like CT or MRI scans to spot any tumors are examples of diagnostic tests. Diabetes, mental diseases, and cardiovascular disease are just a few of the major health hazards that can result from untreated elevated cortisol levels. The secret to avoiding these issues is effective treatment.
Although your body naturally produces high quantities of cortisol in reaction to stress, persistently excessive levels can be harmful to your health. It’s advisable to consult a doctor if you have symptoms like weariness, irritation, or weight gain in order to determine the underlying cause and begin therapy.
