High cortisol is caused by the consumption of corticoids for a period of more than 15 days, or by increased production of this hormone in the adrenal glands due to chronic stress or some tumor.
When this problem is suspected, due to the negative effects of excess cortisol, such as weight gain, high blood pressure, diabetes and osteoporosis, the general practitioner may order cortisol examination by blood, urine, or saliva dosing.
The control of this hormone is made with physical activity and consumption of foods that control stress and blood sugar, such as yam, oats, egg, flaxseed and milk and derivatives, for example. However, when high levels of cortisol are severe, it is necessary to treat them with medicines or even surgery, guided by the endocrinologist.
Main causes
The use of corticoid medicines such as prednisone or dexamethasone for more than 15 days is the most common form of excess cortisol in the blood, but other causes are:
- Chronic stress and irregular sleep : they can deregulate the production of cortisol and cause its increase in the body;
- Dysfunction of the adrenal glands : caused by the presence of some tumor or by the deregulation of its cells, which can produce the excess cortisol;
- Brain tumor : it can stimulate the secretion of cortisol by the adrenal glands.
Stress usually causes a slight change in cortisol values, while more intense and severe increases are caused by direct changes in the adrenal glands and brain.
Effects of high cortisol on the body
When produced in the adrenal glands, cortisol is released into the circulation for the purpose of regulating the functions of the organism. However, when in excess, and over a long period, it can cause bad consequences like:
- Increased weight, waist circumference and swelling, by fluid retention, and redistribution of body fat;
- Diabetes and elevated blood sugar levels by stimulating the action of the liver to produce glucose;
- Osteoporosis, by decreasing the absorption of calcium by the body and reducing collagen;
- Increased stress, irritability and depression, by causing the release of adrenaline and by direct action in the brain;
- High cholesterol, by increasing the production of fats by the liver and release in the circulation;
- Muscle reduction and weakness, because it lowers the production of proteins and degrades the proteins in the tissues;
- High blood pressure, by causing retention of sodium and liquids, and by increasing the release of adrenaline into the circulation;
- Reduction of the body's defenses by inhibiting inflammation and immunity;
- Increased levels of male hormones in the body, which in women can cause undesirable signs such as excess hair, thicken the voice and hair loss;
- Alterations of the menstrual cycle and difficulty to get pregnant, by deregulating the female hormones;
- Fragility in the skin, increasing wounds, spots on the skin and stretch marks, by lowering collagen and reducing the healing effect of the body.
The name of these changes caused by the chronic increase of cortisol is Cushing's syndrome. When suspected of this syndrome or increased cortisol, the general practitioner or endocrinologist can request blood, urine or saliva tests, which demonstrate the increase of this hormone in the body.
If these tests are of high value, the doctor will then investigate the cause of the excess cortisol, by clinical evaluation, and by tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, of the abdomen and brain.
Learn more about how the cortisol test is done.
How To Lower Cortisol Levels
Because cortisol is closely linked to the emotional system, a good way to regulate cortisol is to reduce stress and anxiety with psychotherapy and leisure time. In addition, doing physical activity and eating foods that control sugar and stress, such as eggs, milk and dairy products, fish, oats, almonds, nuts, chia seeds and flaxseeds, can also help.
Already, if excess cortisol is caused by the use of corticosteroids, it should be withdrawn gradually over several days, with the guidance of the general practitioner or endocrinologist.
When the cause of the increase in cortisol is more severe, such as a tumor, the treatment is done with the use of drugs to control the amount of the hormone, such as metyrapone, aminoglutethimide, and surgery for removal of this tumor, which will be decided and programmed between the patient, the endocrinologist and the surgeon.
Learn how to do a natural treatment that helps control high cortisol.
Effects of High Cortisol in Pregnancy
In addition to making it difficult to conceive, high cortisol may cause some consequences for the mother and the baby because it increases the risk of high blood pressure and gestational diabetes, as well as favoring preterm labor. In the baby, excess cortisol increases the risk of future disorders such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia.
Thus, whenever the pregnant woman has symptoms of high cortisol, she should notify her obstetrician for the examination.
To avoid cortisol increase, pregnant women should eat a balanced diet and avoid stressful situations during pregnancy, as well as having leisure moments that allow them to rest and relax whenever possible.
Learn more about the risks of stress in pregnancy.
