Stress and some conditions can increase cortisol levels. High cortisol can cause symptoms such as weight gain, acne, and fatigue. Doctors may refer to high cortisol as Cushing syndrome or hypercortisolism.
Everybody occasionally has elevated cortisol levels, which fluctuate throughout the day.
It’s your body’s normal reaction to danger or threats of injury.
On the other hand, excessive cortisol production on a regular basis typically signals an underlying medical issue.
Continue reading to discover the signs of elevated cortisol, possible causes, and when to seek medical attention.
Signs of elevated cortisol levels
Numerous symptoms can be brought on by elevated cortisol.
The cause of your elevated cortisol levels or the degree of elevation of your cortisol levels can affect your symptoms.
The following are typical indicators of excessive cortisol:
- weight increase,
- mostly in the face and abdomen Skin thinning, acne, and easy bruising Face flushing,
- delayed healing, weakened muscles, extreme exhaustion, agitation,
- headache, and high blood pressure
Reasons for elevated cortisol levels
The anterior pituitary gland releases the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in response to the hypothalamus’ release of the corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) when cortisol levels are low.
The adrenal gland then produces and releases more cortisol as a result of ACTH.
The adrenal gland may overproduce cortisol for a variety of causes.
Anxiety
Stressors The body uses a mix of hormone and nerve signals, according to a reliable source.
Your adrenal glands release cortisol and adrenaline as a result of these messages.
As a result, the fight-or-flight reaction causes an increase in energy and heart rate.
It’s how your body gets ready for potentially hazardous or damaging circumstances.
In a fight-or-flight scenario, cortisol also aids in limiting any functions that are not absolutely necessary.
Your body functions normally and your hormones revert to normal after the threat has passed.
However, this reaction does not always stop when you are under a lot of stress.
Nearly every bodily function can be adversely affected by prolonged exposure to cortisol and other stress chemicals.
This may make you more susceptible to illnesses like heart attacks and strokes.
Pituitary gland problems
The pituitary gland is located at the base of your brain.
Because it produces hormones to monitor and help regulate a variety of body activities, this Trusted Source is frequently referred to as the “master gland.”
Malignant pituitary tumors are one issue that can cause the pituitary gland to either overproduce or under produce hormones like ACTH.
More cortisol is released by the adrenal glands as a result.
