Reasons for Elevated Cortisol

Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex. It gets released in response to another hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which is manufactured by the pituitary gland. Cortisol plays numerous roles in the body, including helping the body utilize glucose and fat for energy and helping the body control stress levels as part of its "fight or flight" response. Injury, fatigue, illness and high stress or activity can effect cortisol levels.

• Hypercortisolism can be caused by many factors

Normal Cortisol Ranges

• Normal cortisol levels are highest in when you wake up and lowest when you sleep. Normal high values for a healthy adult generally range between 6 and 23 micrograms per deciliter, depending on your age, gender and lifestyle. Your healthcare provider can test your levels via a blood or urine test, and she can help you determine your healthy cortisol level.

Symptoms

• Numerous symptoms of excessive levels of cortisol--hypercortisolism--may include weight gain, cravings for sugars or simple carbohydrates, blood pressure changes, decreased immunity to infection and memory problems. However, sometimes people exhibit no symptoms.

Stress

• The body releases cortisol in order to deal with stress, and long-term stress levels may cause the adrenal gland to produce abnormally high levels of cortisol even when it's not needed. This stress can be caused by lifestyle issues, overly-rigorous workouts, clinical depression, insomnia, undiagnosed diabetes, extreme weight gains or losses.

Women

• Certain types of birth control pills, estrogen supplements or pregnancy may elevate cortisol levels in otherwise healthy women.

Thyroid

• High cortisol levels may be associated with thyroid dysfunction, even in patients who show normal thyroid levels in blood tests. David Zava, Ph.D., of ZRT Laboratory in Portland, OR, explains that "A physiologic amount of cortisol---not too high and not too low---is very important for normal thyroid function." It also can cause thyroid resistance where the body stops responding efficiently to the thyroid, thus beginning a cycle of cortisol imbalance.

Cushing's Disease

• Elevated cortisol levels may be caused by dysfunctions of the pituitary gland, which is the master control for hormone release in the body. This can cause Cushing's disease or Cushing's syndrome. When the dysfunction is traced to the presence of small tumors inside the gland, called adenoma, it is called Cushing's disease. In Cushing's disease, these adenoma cause the body to release increased cortisol by signalling the the pituitary gland to produce too much ACTH.

Cushing's Syndrome

• Cushing's syndrome is similar to Cushing's disease, however. this rare condition not caused by tumors. Instead, it is most commonly caused by long-term use of corticosteroids (such as prednisone) or medications for asthma or rheumatoid arthritis.