The stress hormone, which is constantly present in one or another amount in the body of any person, is called cortisol. This chemical, produced by the adrenal cortex, is vital for many biochemical reactions. In particular, it constricts blood vessels, ensures better functioning of the liver and brain, and also increases blood pressure. The analysis of the content of cortisol in the blood allows the doctor to detect a wide variety of diseases at an early stage.
As soon as a person experiences psychological or physical stress, the adrenal cortex immediately begins to actively produce stress hormones that focus attention and stimulate cardiac activity, helping the body to cope with the destructive effects of the external environment.
If we talk about the norm of cortisol, then for people under the age ofat sixteen years of age, it ranges from 80 to 580 nmol/l, for the rest it ranges from 130 to 635 nmol/l. This indicator depends on a variety of indicators. For example, cortisol levels vary by time of day. In the morning, its amount in the blood rises, and in the evening the stress hormone is contained in a minimal amount. During pregnancy, the level of cortisol also rises, and very strongly: 2-5 times. In most other cases, high levels of the stress hormone in the blood are one of the signs of a serious illness.
For example, elevated cortisol can indicate an adenoma (adrenal cancer), hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome, obesity, depression, AIDS, cirrhosis of the liver or the development of diabetes mellitus. Also, elevated stress hormone in the blood can be a direct consequence of taking drugs such as estrogens, opiates, synthetic glucocorticoids and oral contraceptives.
Low cortisol is likewise not a good sign. Low stress hormone can mean adrenal or pituitary insufficiency, cirrhosis of the liver, Addison's disease, hepatitis, or anorexia. The latter is due to the fact that cortisol is the main regulator of metabolism, and its low content in the blood can provoke a sharp decrease in body weight. That is why, by the way, this kind of chemicals are called nothing more than hormones for weight loss.
Small amount of cortisolin the blood can also be triggered by taking a number of medications. For example, barbiturates. There can be a lot of reasons for a decrease or, conversely, an increase in the stress hormone. However, only a qualified endocrinologist can give an accurate assessment of the state of he alth, based on the specific results of the analysis.
Summarizing, it should be noted that cortisol affects all the basic physiological processes that occur in the body. This is the regulation of sugar, the conversion of fats and carbohydrates into energy, increased activity of anti-inflammatory hormones, and stimulation of the gastrointestinal tract system. It is important to remember that as a result of prolonged stress, the functions of the adrenal glands begin to weaken and can no longer return to normal on their own, which means that a visit to the doctor in this case should become mandatory.
