Question 1

what causes high cortisol levels?

Accepted Answer

Stress,depression...: Most commonly cause high cortisol level in am

and rarely a condition called cushing's disease.

Question 2

can i regulate my cortisol levels?

Accepted Answer

Cortisol Levels: Cortisol is naturally regulated in the body by organs called adrenal glands. However, cortisol is released in response to stress, so one way to decrease cortisol levels is to remove stress from your life when possible. It sounds simple, but relaxing by doing yoga, meditating etc. Can be very helpful. Another way to keep cortisol levels down is avoiding caffeine and sugar, which both increase it.

Question 3

what can high cortisol levels mean?

Accepted Answer

How high?: It depends on how high it is above normal?  If mildly elevated and if you don't have symptoms of cushing's syndrome: fat at mid section, stretch marks in the abdomen, moon-face, buffalo humps...Then this might be just the way you are.  If it's very high and you have symptoms of the above, see your doctor to make sure you don't have a pituitary or adrenal tumor overproducing cortisol.

Question 4

can thin people have high levels of cortisol?

Accepted Answer

YES!!: Yes they can....
High cortisol levels can be due to many things, including stress, time of day of blood draw, and adrenal pathology (rare)

Question 5

what does it represent cortisol levels of 1800?

Accepted Answer

Cortisol: Cortisol levels vary naturally over the span of a day. Highest are expected in the 6-8am period and fall from there thru bedtime. Healthy energy and wakefullness is supported by appropriate levels. Here's info - but ask your doctor to help you understand your results and the meaning. 
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/cortisol/tab/test?gclid=cjbektdkolocfuhk7aodsxeaxa
best wishes!

Question 6

what is the significance of high cortisol levels?

Accepted Answer

Adrenal or Pituitary: Excessive production of cortisol may result from a tumor in pituitary producing a hormone that stimulates the adrenal gland.  Lesions in the adrenal gland, hyperplasia, adenoma, carcinoma, may also cause increase in cortisol levels.  
You need to consult your doctor and/or an endocrinologist.

Question 7

why do cortisol levels increase throughout the day?

Accepted Answer

Cortisol: They don't increase throughout the day.  Although they bounce around a bit, they are higher in the morning, from about 4 AM to 10 AM (in someone on a regular sleep schedule), and lower later in the day.  They are circadian, part of our brain-controlled light/dark biocycles.

Question 8

what are some natural ways to lower cortisol levels?

Accepted Answer

Why?: How do you know your cortisol level is high and why do you want to lower it? There are no "natural" ways, except to lower stress. If you are concerned, check w/endocrinologist. If your levels are really high, definitely check w/endocrinologist. Don't get your medical info from tv and the internet. It's garbage!

Question 9

i have high cortisol levels. is there anything i can do to lower it?

Accepted Answer

Need more info: Hi. If you have Cushing's, which is physical manifestations of cortisol excess and high cortisol, yes, it's treatable. It must be determined if it's ACTH-dependent or ACTH-independent, the tumor localized, and the tumor resected (with a few exceptions in the cases of paraneoplastic Cushing's). After surgery, there are multiple meds that can be used for persistent disease. Good luck!

Question 10

when is the best time to get cortisol
levels checked? what can influence the result?

Accepted Answer

Cortisol: Levels are. Generally taken am and pm. They can be effected by the use of steroids of any kind

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What causes high cortisol levels?

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Can i regulate my cortisol levels?

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What can high cortisol levels mean?

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Can thin people have high levels of cortisol?

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What does it represent cortisol levels of 1800?

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What is the significance of high cortisol levels?

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Why do cortisol levels increase throughout the day?

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What are some natural ways to lower cortisol levels?

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I have high cortisol levels. is there anything i can do to lower it?

A member asked:

When is the best time to get cortisol levels checked? what can influence the result?

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