Cortisol is a steroid hormone, also called a glucocorticoid, that's produced in the adrenal glands. It's often referred to as the "stress hormone" because it helps regulate your body's response to stress. Cortisol levels rise throughout the day, with the highest levels in the morning and then a gradual decline as the day progresses.
Cortisol plays a number of important roles in the body, including:
- Increasing blood sugar levels
- Helping to regulate metabolism
- Suppressing the immune system
- Reducing inflammation
Cortisol levels that are too high or too low can lead to a number of health problems. Chronically high cortisol levels can be caused by chronic stress, Cushing's syndrome, or a tumor on the adrenal gland. Symptoms of high cortisol can include:
- Weight gain, especially around the middle
- Thinning skin and easy bruising
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Mood swings
- Difficulty sleeping
- High blood pressure
- High blood sugar
Chronically low cortisol levels can be caused by Addison's disease, a pituitary gland disorder, or severe malnutrition. Symptoms of low cortisol can include:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Low blood sugar
- Nausea and vomiting
- Darkening of the skin
- Depression or irritability
- Salt cravings
