Cortisol is a key hormone secreted by the adrenal glands, two small glands situated above the kidneys.  This steroid hormone is involved in stress, and the fight response, which is a natural and protective mechanism for an alleged threat or danger—higher levels of cortisol result in a spurt of energy and stamina.
cortisol

In the flight or fight response, cortisol suppresses unwanted or detrimental functions to those stimuli. During a fight, flight or freeze response, you can have:

  • A rapid heart rate
  • Dry mouth
  • Stomach upset
  • Diarrhoea
  • Panic

Also Read: Cortisol: Structure, Crucial Functions, Adverse Effects

Cortisol release can also:

  • Suppresses your growth processes
  • Disrupt your digestive system
  • Interrupt your reproductive system
  • Changes how your immune system responds

Purpose of Cortisol Test:

This test checks if cortisol levels are too high or too low. Certain medical conditions like Addison’s disease and Cushing’s disease impact the amount of cortisol the adrenal glands produce.

This test is valuable in diagnosing these conditions and assesses the functioning of the adrenal and pituitary glands.

Cortisol plays a role in various bodily systems, including:

  • Stress stimulation
  • Controls the immune system
  • Nervous system
  • Circulatory system
  • Skeletal system
  • Metabolism of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates

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Why Do I Need A Cortisol Test?

Your healthcare provider may recommend this test for those with symptoms of a condition that affects cortisol levels.

Symptoms of Cushing's syndrome may include:

  • Weight gain
  • Thin arms and legs
  • Big face
  • Higher percentage of fat around the base of the neck or between the shoulder blades
  • Easy bruising
  • Wide purple streaks on the stomach, breasts, hips, and under the arms
  • Muscle weakness

Common symptoms of Addison disease and adrenal insufficiency may include:

  • Abdominal (belly) pain

Also Read: Addison’s Disease: Symptoms, Causes And Treatment

Procedure:

The cortisol test can be conducted through blood, urine, or saliva samples. Each type of test serves a specific purpose:

Blood Test: This is the most common method. A healthcare professional will draw blood, typically in the morning when cortisol levels are highest. The sample collected is then sent to a laboratory for analysis.

Urine Test: This test involves collecting urine over 24 hours. It provides a more comprehensive picture of cortisol levels throughout the day.

Saliva Test: Saliva samples are collected, often at multiple times throughout the day, to observe the natural rhythm of cortisol production. This is commonly used in research studies and for monitoring certain conditions.

Risks

With any blood test, there are a few risks associated, when a sample is collected from a vein, it may result in bruising at the site where the needle was inserted.

  • Bleeding
  • An accumulation of blood beneath your skin
  • Fainting
  • Infection

Results

Analysing cortisol test results requires considering the time of day the sample was collected, as cortisol levels naturally fluctuate. Generally, cortisol levels in the morning are higher than in the evening. Abnormal results may indicate various medical conditions:

High levels may mean that:

  • The pituitary gland is secreting too much ACTH due to a tumour or overgrowth of the pituitary gland
  • You may have a tumour in your adrenal gland, resulting in excess cortisol production
  • You may have a tumour elsewhere in the body involved in cortisol production

Lower levels may indicate that:

The result is interpreted based on the patient’s overall health condition, medical history, and ongoing treatments. Your physician can give a complete analysis and advise further evaluation based on the results.

References:

1.Measuring cortisol in serum, urine and saliva – are our assays good enough? Nadia El-Farhan Nadia.El-Farhan@wales.nhs.uk, D Aled Rees, and Carol EvansView all authors and affiliations

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0004563216687335

2.Technical and clinical aspects of cortisol as a biochemical marker of chronic stress.Do Yup Lee,1 Eosu Kim,2,* and Man Ho Choi3,

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4436856/

Disclaimer:

The content provided here is for informational purposes only. This blog is not intended to substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider for any questions or concerns you may have regarding a medical condition. Reliance does not endorse or recommend any specific tests, physicians, procedures, opinions, or other information mentioned on the blog.