Cortisol Imbalance Symptoms

A cortisol imbalance occurs when you have too much or too little cortisol, a type of corticosteroid produced by your adrenal glands. There are numerous symptoms of cortisol imbalance and having even one symptom could mean you are suffering from the condition.

Cause

• Cortisol is produced in response to your stress levels. If you have a lot of stress in your life, your adrenal glands are constantly producing cortisol. As the load becomes too high for your adrenal glands to keep up with, they shut down and stop producing cortisol completely.

Weight

• One of the most noticeable symptoms to cortisol imbalance is weight gain. Though you will be gaining weight, especially around your abdomen, you may notice you are losing some muscle mass, another symptom.

Cognitive Symptoms

• If your cortisol levels are off in the your bloodstream, you may notice you are having a harder time remembering things. You also may have a cortisol imbalance if you are experiencing anxiety, irritability and depression that is not normal for you. Some people will start having sleep disturbances and/or insomnia.

Other Physical Symptoms

• The most common symptom of cortisol imbalance is fatigue that is not helped by sleeping, but other physical symptoms include headaches, allergies, thinning skin and hair, acne and sugar cravings.

Treatment

• Your doctor will test your saliva to see how much of a cortisol imbalance you have. After the test results have returned, your doctor may want to put you on a hormone replacement therapy. You can help your treatment by not consuming hydrogenated fats, caffeine, refined carbohydrates (including sugar) and alcohol, if possible.