What Is Healthy Blood Sugar Number

Cortisol Symptoms

Some of the most common cortisol symptoms are weight gain, weight loss, low libido, fatigue, irregular menstrual cycles in females and hair loss. You may still suffer from cortisol hormonal imbalance despite living a healthy life by eating well and exercising regularly.

Cortisol is an important hormone produced by the adrenal glands just above your kidneys and it helps regulate your blood sugar levels, your body’s use of protein, carbohydrates and fat. It controls inflammation, aids in functioning of immune system, energy production and healing.

Cortisol plays an important role in helping you stay healthy and energetic. Its major role is to combat physical as well as psychological stress. Every time your body experiences stress, the cortisol levels elevate in order to combat the stress and you experience a boost of energy and feel more motivated.

So although cortisol is a naturally occurring hormone, its levels become dangerously high under prolonged stress. Elevated cortisol stimulates the production of glucose in excess, which is then converted into fat and gets stored.

Women are more exposed to health issues that arise out of cortisol hormonal imbalance. Many women can experience problems like infrequent ovulation that may lead to infertility or difficulty in getting pregnant by suppressing estrogen hormones. Lower levels of cortisol hormone can lead to hypothyroidism as it stimulates the thyroid hormones.

While doctors can check levels of cortisol in the blood through lab tests, there are some ways that people can recognize that they have high levels of cortisol in their bodies- by cortisol symptoms.

Higher Cortisol Symptoms and Signs:

• Abdominal fat

• Alcohol cravings

• Anxiety

• *Cushing’s Syndrome

• Depression

• Disturbed sleep

• Dizziness and Lightheadedness

• Elevated blood sugar

• Fatigue

• Food cravings

• Frequent colds and illnesses

• Hair loss

• Heart disease

• High blood pressure

• Increased levels of cholesterol

• Insulin resistance

• Irritability

• Lack of patience

• Memory problems

• Mood swings

• Muscle, bone loss and osteoporosis

• Premature aging

• Shaky Hands

• Skin conditions like acne and eczema

• Stomach ulcers

• Weakness

• Weight gain or loss

*Cushing’s syndrome is a hormone disorder caused by too much cortisol in the blood as a result of taking glucocorticoid drugs, or by tumors that produce cortisol or ACTH or CRH. Signs of Cushing’s syndrome include a fatty hump between your shoulders, a rounded face, and pink or purple stretch marks on your skin. Cushing’s syndrome can also result in high blood pressure, bone loss and, occasionally diabetes. 

Lower Cortisol Symptoms and Signs:

Some people with cortisol deficiency find themselves getting easily depressed or have difficulty thinking and focusing on tasks. Others may experience pains in their muscles or joints. In some very rare cases, the adrenal glands will actually start bleeding, which leads to acute back pain.

In this case, patients need to see a doctor right away, especially if they are taking any sort of anticoagulants that stop blood clots. Bleeding can also be caused by severe infections.

• Aches and pains

• Alcoholism

• Asthma

• Chronic Fatigue

• Cold intolerance

• Common colds

• Depression

• Fatigue

• Fibromyalgia

• Heart disease

• Inflammation

• Insomnia

• Prolonged illnesses

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Stress intolerance

• Weight gain due to lack of proper blood sugar levels