Thread: Low Cortisol

That's sounds like good news....Cortisol the hormone for fat storage. Am I missing something???

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An insufficient amount of cortisol disrupts metabolism, resulting in low blood sugar and a lack of glycogen, which is stored in the liver and can be rapidly converted into the glucose required for energy. Lack of cortisol also causes a drop in blood pressure, which decreases cardiac output. A discoloration of the skin called hyperpigmentation can occur as a decrease in cortisol stimulates an increase in other hormones that activate the melanocyte cells responsible for skin pigmentation. The overall effect of low cortisol is weakness, dehydration and diminished ability to fight infection, trauma and stress. These issues are often first noticed during periods of extreme stress or trauma. Additionally, infection, surgery or loss of sodium due to excessive sweating can elevate the imbalances to the level of an adrenal crisis.

Blood tests must be performed to verify levels of cortisol and other hormones that stimulate the release of cortisol. Treatment consists of medication to replace the cortisol (hydrocortisone or prednisone) and to correct imbalances of other elements such as sodium and potassium, which are influenced by the level of cortisol in the blood. Additionally, the physician will screen for any other conditions or diseases that may impact cortisol production. If found, these would have to be treated.

Originally Posted by ceazur

An insufficient amount of cortisol disrupts metabolism, resulting in low blood sugar and a lack of glycogen, which is stored in the liver and can be rapidly converted into the glucose required for energy. Lack of cortisol also causes a drop in blood pressure, which decreases cardiac output. A discoloration of the skin called hyperpigmentation can occur as a decrease in cortisol stimulates an increase in other hormones that activate the melanocyte cells responsible for skin pigmentation. The overall effect of low cortisol is weakness, dehydration and diminished ability to fight infection, trauma and stress. These issues are often first noticed during periods of extreme stress or trauma. Additionally, infection, surgery or loss of sodium due to excessive sweating can elevate the imbalances to the level of an adrenal crisis.

Blood tests must be performed to verify levels of cortisol and other hormones that stimulate the release of cortisol. Treatment consists of medication to replace the cortisol (hydrocortisone or prednisone) and to correct imbalances of other elements such as sodium and potassium, which are influenced by the level of cortisol in the blood. Additionally, the physician will screen for any other conditions or diseases that may impact cortisol production. If found, these would have to be treated.

Interesting. I had no idea that even some cortisol was needed. I thought it was produce exclusively as a bi-product of stress.

Do you know how much is a healthy amount in the bloodstream? How do they measure it, exactly?

How the Test is Performed

Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.
In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.

How to Prepare for the Test

The health care provider may ask you to stop taking drugs that can affect the test. Drugs that can increase cortisol measurements include:

• Estrogen
• Human-made (synthetic) glucocorticoids, such as prednisone and prednisolone

Drugs that can decrease cortisol measurements include:

• Androgens
• Phenytoin

The level of cortisol in the bloodstream continually fluctuates as physiologic needs vary. Surgery, infection, fever, and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). will cause cortisol to increase. This continual fluctuation adds to the difficulty of diagnosing Cushing's.

Normally, cortisol levels rise during the early morning hours and are highest about 7 a.m. They drop very low in the evening and during the early phase of sleep. But if you sleep during the day and are up at night, this pattern may be reversed. If you do not have this daily change (diurnal rhythm) in cortisol levels, you may have overactive adrenal glands

You guys copying and pasting stuff are killing me. Bro-tellegence at it's finest!

If you have adrenal fatigue you need to see a doc that is familiar with it and get a script to fix it.

Originally Posted by maseco63

That's sounds like good news....Cortisol the hormone for fat storage. Am I missing something???

Originally Posted by Phineas

Interesting. I had no idea that even some cortisol was needed. I thought it was produce exclusively as a bi-product of stress.

You do need some cortisol. Cortisol deficiency is Addison's disease. Addison's disease - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

People with Addison's can faint when they get startled.

JFK had it. I've always wondered if he fainted when he got shot...

Okay, I'm a bad person. I know this.

Hahaha satan is stoking the coals Built (j/k).

I have two naturopaths that I'll be working with once I get my results back from my second test. A few guys I know worked w/one of them w/great results.

My understanding is no way. Its too much stress on the body which is what put you in that position to begin with. In fact, the first thing they tell u to do is drop all workouts to let your adrenal glands heal. Usually for a month, then to add some strength work, then lastly cardio. The process usually takes about 6 months.

Originally Posted by rahaas

You guys copying and pasting stuff are killing me. Bro-tellegence at it's finest!

If you have adrenal fatigue you need to see a doc that is familiar with it and get a script to fix it.

Killing you? because someone ask a questions, it strikes my interest, i look it up to satisfy myself and then post the info I find. Usually a link ,but some people don't like clicking links cause they can be malicious. or either I will say that I found the info online. Why does it matter as long as the primary question is answered? Because I copy and paste something you think your smarter than me or some how it makes me seem less informative?

ceazur, just include the source when you copy paste - otherwise, it's like theft, yanno?

i jus wont answer anymore questions lmao.

Seriously? Giving cred to an author who took the time to look shit up and write it down is so much trouble?

Originally Posted by Built

Seriously? Giving cred to an author who took the time to look shit up and write it down is so much trouble?

Lmao.. I usually do if you look back at some of my old post. But the reason I am not going to answer anything else is because this should have never been brought up. No biggy, from now on I will keep my uneducated answers to myself.

Come to think of it I have gotten into small disputes with people over the last few days. I think this is going to be one of my last post on this site all together.

Are our panties in a bunch? Sheeesh.
I'm just suggesting that this is a medical issue and someone reading it thinking they can fix it without proper diagnosis and treatment could really screw themselves up permanently...but what do I know?

Originally Posted by ceazur

Come to think of it I have gotten into small disputes with people over the last few days. I think this is going to be one of my last post on this site all together.

Don't let the door hit you on the way out.