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What Is High Cortisol?

A hormone produced by the adrenal glands, cortisol plays several key roles in the body. Although essential in the right amounts, high cortisol levels increase the risk of developing life-threatening diseases.

  1. Function

    • Among many important functions, cortisol regulates blood pressure and assists immune function in the body.

    Significance

    • Physical and mental stress such as excessive exercise, improper diet and financial worries may result in temporarily increased cortisol levels. The levels will usually return to normal when the stressors are eliminated. However, persistent stress can cause the levels to remain high for long periods of time.

    Cushing's Syndrome

    • Caused by extremely high levels of cortisol, Cushing's syndrome is characterized by weight gain in the midsection, muscle weakness and mood changes. The syndrome also affects reproductive hormones, so women may experience excessive facial hair growth and menstrual irregularities, while men may suffer from erectile dysfunction and low sex drive.

    Diagnostic Tests

    • Varying throughout the day, cortisol levels peak between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. and fall to their lowest levels at midnight. A diagnosis of high cortisol is confirmed when blood or salivary levels of the hormone, taken at different times in a day, consistently exceed normal values.

    Considerations

    • Women taking birth control pills and synthetic hormones may have elevated cortisol levels.

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