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Cortisol is a steroid hormone that belongs to the group of glucocorticoids that are produced in the adrenal cortex. Cortisol is produced in large quantities if the human body is subjected to severe stress, as well as if the total level of glucocorticoids in the blood is lowered.
Cortisol in the body performs many different functions, in particular, this hormone stimulates gluconeogenesis, thereby increasing the amount of glucose circulating in the blood. Also, this hormone plays an important role in suppressing the immune system, as well as in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in the human body.
Cortisone is increased quite often during pregnancy, this is normal and due to the fact that this hormone promotes the production of surfactant in the fetus at 30 weeks of gestation. By the way, quite often synthetic forms of this hormone are used as a medicine for the treatment of various rheumatic or inflammatory diseases, allergies, as well as Addison's disease.
Normally for a person, the level of this hormone should be slightly increased in the morning, and by the evening its level in the blood should decrease. Although stress cannot be considered the only reason for activating the synthesis of this hormone, it is stress in most cases that causes an increase in its content in the blood, which is beneficial to us. In particular, due to the fact that cortisone is increased during stress, a person has an additional surge of strength, which is especially necessary in emergency situations, when every second counts. In addition, a slight increase in the content of cortisol stimulates the body's immune system, dulls pain, significantly improves brain function, allowing it to remember much more information, and it also helps to maintain normal homeostasis throughout the body.
You must understand that all these changes can be useful only if the increase in cortisol in the blood occurs periodically, that is, if after stress the body rests and the level of the hormone decreases. If the body does not receive rest laid down by law, then cortisol will gradually exert the opposite, that is, pathological effect. In particular, in the first place, the brain will be affected, namely its cognitive abilities. Also, if cortisol is increased quite often, muscle mass and bone density are significantly reduced, thyroid activity decreases and blood pressure rises.
It’s quite simple to protect yourself from the negative effects of such a “stress hormone” as cortisol. How to lower its content in the blood can be taught at any relaxation seminar - you need to learn independent relaxation methods, do physical exercises and generally enjoy life more.
But there are situations in which the pathological synthesis of cortisol is in no way associated with the emotional state of the patient. In particular, with some types of pathologies. In the event that cortisol is elevated, this hormone reduces the amount of collagen in the skin, and also reduces the secretion of histamine. In addition, cortisol strongly affects the reproductive system of the body and with a significant and prolonged increase in its content in the blood can cause miscarriage in pregnant patients. Fertile function returns to normal after the level of the hormone in the blood decreases.
Cortisol can be increased with the following types of diseases:
Cushing's syndrome
adrenal tumor
ectopic synthesis syndrome ACTH
Cortisol can be lowered with the following types of diseases:
hypopituitarism
Addison's disease
During studies that will help determine the amount of cortisol in the blood, it is necessary to take into account the fact that the use of various drugs can affect its content in the blood. In particular, cortisol is elevated after taking birth control pills or other drugs that contain various estrogens.