Symptoms Of High Cortisol Levels, And How To Deal With Them

Cortisol is quite an important hormone produced by your body’s adrenal gland, and its effect on your well-being can’t be overstated. At the proper levels, cortisol helps manage your body’s stress response by regulating blood sugar levels, as well as blood pressure, immune function, and other essential bodily processes.

However, when cortisol levels remain high for extended periods of time, a wide range of symptoms and health problems can potentially crop up that should be dealt with immediately. Are you concerned about your body’s cortisol levels, and whether you might be suffering from any ill effects? Read on to find out.

HOW IS CORTISOL PRODUCED?

Before we touch on the symptoms of high cortisol levels, let’s examine exactly how this hormone is produced, and how it integrates with the rest of your bodily functions. Cortisol is produced via the adrenal cortex, which pumps out the hormone at regular intervals throughout the day. When activated, cortisol helps maintain your energy levels by keeping track of the release of glucose in the body, which is a traditional source of fuel. 

The problem arises when cortisol levels spike too high, and remain there for a long period of time. Without proper regulation, cortisol begins to affect bodily performance, mood, and overall well-being. Left untreated, it can lead to irritating minor health complications, or far more serious issues. Either way, maintaining proper cortisol levels is a key factor when it comes to enjoying your life to the fullest.

SYMPTOMS OF HIGH CORTISOL IN THE BODY

When cortisol reaches extreme levels in the human body, it will begin to manifest in a number of underlying conditions, including the following:

Weight Gain: High cortisol levels can cause weight gain, particularly around the belly and midsection. This occurs due to abnormal cortisol levels increasing your appetite, which in turn will trigger a mechanism whereby the body begins to store excess fat. The abdominal area is usually one of the first places where extra fat gets stored, and can be difficult to get rid of.

Anxiety and Depression: Since cortisol helps manage the body’s stress levels, it can cause psychological issues when allowed to run too high, for too long. Remember, cortisol is a hormone, and like any hormone, it can have dramatic effects on your well-being, such as chronic stress, which in turn can trigger anxiety and depression. There may be nothing wrong with you emotionally, but your cortisol imbalance could be hampering your mental health without you even knowing it. 

Insomnia: Cortisol levels tend to rise to their highest peak in the early morning hours, which in turn assists with regulating your waking cycle. The problem arises when cortisol levels spike early in the night, which can prevent you from falling asleep. Even if you do, it may hamper your ability to get a solid night’s rest, which can have detrimental effects on your energy levels during the following day. 

Muscle Weakness: High cortisol levels not only contribute to the weakening of your muscle, but they can also break down muscle tissue over time. This is especially problematic for the arms and legs, but can occur in other parts of the body as well. Your body will seek out muscle tissue to convert to energy, which can be artificially exacerbated when cortisol levels are spiking too high in your body.

High Blood Pressure: Cortisol can raise blood pressure by constricting blood vessels, while increasing the production of certain hormones which regulate it effectively. This is especially problematic for older individuals who need to keep an eye on blood pressure and heart health. 

Irregular Menstrual Cycles: Once again, cortisol is a hormone, which means abnormal levels are capable of disrupting balance within the body, causing females to suffer irregular menstrual cycles, missed periods, and in some cases, infertility. 

Impaired Immune Function: Cortisol helps regulate the immune system, which means higher levels can throw this balance out of sync, leading to suppressed immune functionality. This is especially dangerous, since it can make your body more susceptible to infection and illness. 

WHAT IF CORTISOL LEVELS ARE TOO LOW?

While high cortisol levels are certainly problematic, it is possible for them to be too low, as well. When this occurs, it’s usually due to a problem with the body’s pituitary or adrenal gland, and can cause symptoms such as dizziness, weight loss, mood swings, skin problems, and fatigue. Generally, low cortisol levels are linked to Addison’s disease.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO COMBAT HIGH CORTISOL LEVELS?

It’s always good practice to identify whether you do indeed have high levels of cortisol in the body, before taking action. However, certain all-around beneficial lifestyle choices can certainly help. These include reducing stress wherever possible, while engaging in breathing and meditation. Exercise is also a massive stress reliever, but make sure to pair this activity with a wholesome and nutritional diet. Getting a good night’s rest is also integral when it comes to stress relief.

And lastly, make sure to reach out to family and friends who can create a support network while you figure out whether high cortisol levels are indeed the culprit. The tips mentioned above are great for anyone, regardless of their cortisol levels, so why not adopt them now for a better, healthier life? There are no drawbacks!

HOW TO CHECK YOUR BODY FOR HIGH CORTISOL LEVELS

If you think you might be suffering from high cortisol levels, you’ll need to be absolutely sure before you pursue treatment. At DM6 Health, we’ve made this easier than ever through our at-home testing kits, which you can perform by yourself, in the privacy of your own home. A simple test is all you need in order for our certified lab technicians to deliver accurate results, right to your door. 

Once you’ve identified whether high cortisol levels are indeed the culprit, you can discuss proper treatment methods with your doctor. Don’t wait! Make sure to test yourself immediately so that you can get your body back on track, which in turn will help you live a fuller, healthier and happier life. High cortisol levels don’t have to hang over your head like a dark cloud. This condition can be managed, provided you take the first step.

CONCLUSION

For more information on DM6 Health’s amazing at-home testing kits, or to order a cortisol level testing kit for yourself, we invite you to contact us right away. Don’t forget to check out our other at-home testing kits that you can perform on yourself to make sure that your body is running in tip-top shape!