Cortisol: the symptoms and causes of an excess of the stress hormone

What is Cortisol? When can it be defined as "high"? And what are the causes and symptoms of its excess?

Do not store avocado like this: it is dangerous What is cortisol, also known as the stress hormone and why it is better to keep it at bay

Il cortisol it's a hormone synthesized by the cells of the adrenal fasciculate. The synthesis of cortisol occurs as a response of these cells to the presence of the pituitary hormone, the hormone ACTH. For this reason, it is said that thepituitary hormone ACTH is the precursor of cortisol. But when can cortisol be defined as "high"? And what are the causes and symptoms of his excess?

Cortisol is also called "stress hormone"Because its production increases precisely under very severe conditions of psycho-physical stress. With his action, it inhibits unnecessary bodily functions in the short term, supporting the functions of vital organs.

A high cortisol value can be due to either pathological causesand, such as over-functioning of the thyroid gland, both a non-pathological causes, such as - in addition to stress - a sporting activity that is too demanding or diets rich in carbohydrates.

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What is cortisol, functions and reference values

Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal gland and carried by the blood. It is basically a hormone produced by the adrenal fasciculate cells in response to the pituitary hormone ACTH, which is therefore the precursor of cortisol.

Its production increases if you are subjected to severe psycho-physical stress. This is why cortisol is also referred to as the "stress hormone" and its values increase even after intense extreme physical exercise or surgery.

Thanks to its activity, cortisol is able to inhibit bodily functions that are not immediately indispensable. In this way it guarantees the maximum supply of energy and resources to the "vital" organs.

Hence, cortisol can:

induce increases in cardiac output, which is the volume of blood expelled from a heart ventricle in one minute
increase blood sugar, increasing gluconeogenesis of the liver (production of glucose in the liver), by stimulating the secretion of glucagon and by reducing the activity of insulin receptors. In practice, cortisol can reduce the ability to use glucose through peripheral tissues so much that it is possible to have an anti-insulin effect.
reduce the immune response also decreasing any inflammatory reaction
reduce the production of collagen and bone matrix, increasing the speed ofOsteoporosis
help the catabolism of proteins
help the mobilization and use of fatty acids, but in some areas of the body it helps stimulate lipogenesis.

Increases in cortisol synthesis can occur in cases of prolonged fasting or wrong eating styles.

Cortisol: the symptoms and causes of an excess of the stress hormone

Cortisol reference values

To measure the cortisol concentration just a blood sample. Concentration travels in relation to the circadian rhythm of the human body, so it typically is higher in the morning and lower in the evening.

The range of physiological values is (Source Inran):

Adults: ore 08:00 = 5-25 µg/dl
ore 15:00 = 2-14 µg/dl
ore 20:00 = 5-10 µg/dl

Kids: 5-10 µg/dl

Beyond these values there is "high cortisol".

High cortisol (hypercortisolism) symptoms

When the cortisol level rises and continues to be excessively high for a long period it is referred to hypercortisolism. The most common symptoms are:

asthenia (reduced energy)
hypertension
inefficient immune system
decreased sexual desire
hirsutism in women
abnormal changes in the menstrual cycle
Osteoporosis
hyperglycemia (due to insulin resistance)
obesity
insomnia
disorders of the gastrointestinal tract
lowering of mnemonic functions
edema

It goes without saying that if conditions such as obesity, hypertension and hyperglycemia occur together, the risk of a metabolic syndrome increases.

Furthermore, an excess of cortisol for long periods can be the cause and symptoms of the so-called Morbo of Cushing, which causes redistribution of body fat, loss of muscle mass, hypertension, capillary fragility, thinning of the skin, difficulty in wound healing, osteoporosis, immunosuppression, secondary diabetes and psychosis.

High Cortisol Causes

As we mentioned earlier, an excess of cortisol is not necessarily caused by a specific pathology.

This is why the causes that trigger an excess of this hormone are distinguished between non-pathological and pathological.

Non-pathological causes include:

stress, both physical and mental
a sporting activity that is too intense and too long-lasting
diets very high in carbohydrates with a high index glicemico
certain medications such as birth control pills, spironalactone (acne contrast therapy) or prednisone (a drug that fights some inflammatory diseases)
a pregnancy

Instead, among the pathological causes:

abnormal and excessive functioning of the thyroid gland
pituitary adenoma (a benign tumor affecting the pituitary gland)
adrenal carcinoma
adrenal hyperplasia
lung cancer
rectal cancer
adenoma of the adrenal glands

How to keep cortisol in check

Keeping cortisol levels under control can and is not that difficult. Like most things that affect our health, even in the case of cortisol you have to start from the table.

Eating healthy and on a regular basis are the two essential rules. What the experts recommend is eat small meals in terms of calories but frequent (5 or more per day). Also, never forget to have a hearty breakfast and to favor the hiring of: