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The Effects of Low Cortisol

Cortisol is a hormone essential for the proper functioning of the immune system, the regulation of blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and the stress response. A number of medical conditions can cause an abnormal decrease in the amounts of circulating cortisol in the body. Low cortisol results in a characteristic set of symptoms.

  1. Aspects

    • Cortisol is produced by the portion of the adrenal gland known as the adrenal cortex. There are two adrenal glands, one on each side of the body, directly above the kidneys. The synthesis of cortisol is triggered by the release of the pituitary gland hormone adrenocorticotropic hormone, or ACTH. Because of its ability to suppress the immune system response, synthetic forms of cortisol are often used to treat autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.

    Effects of low cortisol

    • A person suffering from hypocortisolism--an insufficiency of cortisol in the blood--will exhibit distinct signs and symptoms. Their blood sugar levels may drop and they may become weak, tired and disoriented. They may suffer from nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and become dehydrated. Their blood pressure may begin to fluctuate dramatically and to drop when they are standing.

    Addison's disease

    • When your adrenal glands consistently fail to produce essential amounts of cortisol, you have Addison's disease. Most common in people between ages 35 and 50, this disease, if left untreated, can cause blotchy dark patches on the skin, episodes of fainting, and severe dehydration from persistent vomiting and diarrhea.

    Causes

    • Low cortisol levels can result from primary or secondary causes. Primary causes include problems with the adrenal gland itself, such as the development of an adrenal tumor, severe injury or a disease that directly affects the gland's ability to function. Secondary causes include problems with the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus, which is responsible for producing hormones that stimulate the pituitary gland into action. If either of these endocrine glands are damaged or impaired by disease or tumors, they can malfunction and fail to stimulate the adrenal gland to produce cortisol.

    Treatment

    • Low cortisol can be treated with synthetic cortisol drugs, also known as corticosteroids. These include hydrocortisone, prednisone and prednisolone. After you have been treated with corticosteroids, discontinue the drug slowly. Abruptly stopping the medications can cause Addisonian crisis, which involves a severe and sudden drop in blood pressure, convulsions and unconsciousness.

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