The stress hormone, which in one way or another is constantly present 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, provides better liver and brain function, and also increases blood pressure. Analysis of the cortisol content in the blood allows the doctor to detect a large number of various diseases in the early stages.
As soon as a person experiences stress of a psychological or physical nature, the adrenal cortex immediately begins to actively produce stress hormones that concentrate and stimulate cardiac activity, helping the body to cope independently with the destructive effects of the external environment.
If we talk about the norm of the cortisol content, then for people under the age of sixteen it varies 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, the level of cortisol depends on the specific time of day. In the morning, its amount in the blood rises, and in the evening the stress hormone is kept to a minimum. During pregnancy, the level of cortisol also rises, and very much: 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, increased cortisol may indicate adenoma (adrenal cancer), hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome, obesity, depression, AIDS, liver cirrhosis, or diabetes. Also, increased stress hormone in the blood can be a direct consequence of taking medications such as estrogens, opiates, synthetic glucocorticoids, and oral contraceptives.
Low cortisol levels are likewise not a good sign. Reduced stress hormone can mean insufficiency of the adrenal cortex or pituitary gland, liver cirrhosis, 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, chemicals of this kind are called nothing more than hormones for weight loss.
A small indicator of the level of cortisol in the blood can also be triggered by taking a number of medications. For example, barbiturates. There can be many reasons for a decrease or, conversely, an increase in the stress hormone. However, an accurate assessment of the state of health can only be given by a qualified endocrinologist based on the specific results of the analysis.
Summing up, it should be noted that cortisol has an effect on all the basic physiological processes that occur in the body. This includes the regulation of sugar, the conversion of fats and carbohydrates into energy, the increase in the activity of anti-inflammatory hormones, and the stimulation of the gastrointestinal 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, which means that a visit to the doctor in this case should be mandatory.