Question 1

can having a abnormally high cortisol level in your body contribute to high anxiety and depression? and what are the symptoms of having high cortisol?

Accepted Answer

Definitely.: High cortisol can cause myriad signs & symptoms:  fatigue, decreased energy, impaired memory, insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, crying,  and depression.  More info can be found at http://www.Integrativepsychiatry.Net/adrenal_fatigue.Html.
I often use a specialty lab kit to test for cortisol and other adrenal hormones (saliva) as well as neurotransmitters (urine).

Question 2

could depression during pregnancy cause low cortisol levels in the baby?

Accepted Answer

No: One study shows that infants of depressed mothers actually had slightly higher cortisol levels than others, especially if the mom had anxiety also: http://tinyurl.Com/k5cgwfo these changes no longer existed at 18 mo, perhaps when the infants' self-regulatory abilities kick in. Maternal depression can have other effects on infant development, though: http://tinyurl.Com/ltlfasx.

Question 3

i have the same feeling on zoloft (sertraline) that i have if given cortisol. does this mean my "depression" is endocrinologically based?

Accepted Answer

What feeling: What is the feeling you get. Some people on cortisone can have grandiose thoughts or even psychosis. If the zoloft (sertraline) is giving you that type of feeling it is indicative of what we call cycling. This often happens to people with bipolar disorder on an antidepressant without a mood stabilizer. Let the doctor who prescribed the zoloft (sertraline) know the specifics of the way it makes you feel.

Question 4

i have depression and my doc wants to chick my tft egg testosterone and cortisol, does it good for me.

Accepted Answer

Ruling out causes: Your physician is ordering these tests in order to rule out other causes for your feelings of depression (endocrine disorders, arrhythmia, etc). If these tests come back normal, you might be referred to a psychiatrist to help manage your depressive symptoms. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/depression.html

Question 5

i have high cortisol levels.  what does this mean? i am in perimenopause and have been tested for my hormone levels.  a recent saliva test showed i have high cortisol levels.  i have been suffering from anxiety, depression and insomnia.  i am under going

Accepted Answer

High : High cortisol levels should be confirmed and further evaluated by an internist or endocrinologist. Salivary testing is not mainstream and could be misleading. Stress can result in elevations of cortisol but these will usually suppress with Dexamethasone (this is part of the further testing).

Question 6

what could be the cause of low testosterone , high am cortisol and high prolactin ? symptoms include : muscle & joint weakness & injured frequently , no sex drive , tired , mild depression

Accepted Answer

Pituitary : Your symptoms and lab results are consistent with pituitary dysfunction. The most common cause of this is a pituitary tumor which are present in some form in as many as 25% of the population.  You should see an endocrine doctor for additional blood work and an MRI of the brain.

Question 7

what does depressed morning cortisol mean?

Accepted Answer

Non-specific changes: Normally, your cortisol fluctuates a lot during the day, but it tends to be higher in the am than the pm.  Because of the wide fluctuation, however, one cortisol measurement does not mean much.  The am/pm variation tends to go away when people are sick, and also with depression. This is not the cause of the sickness/depression, but a manifestation of it.

Question 8

what can l do about anxiety and depression

Accepted Answer

Some thoughts...: There are many signs that may suggest depression, such as:  feelings of sadness or hopelessness, angry outbursts or irritability, loss of interest in normal activities, sleep disturbances, tiredness or a lack of energy, either weight gain or weight loss due to appetite changes, anxiety or restlessness, slowed thinking, feeling worthless, etc...  Seeing one's primary care doctor is a good start.

Question 9

i'm depressed and sometimes i'd end up locked up in my room trying to commit suicide. how will i fight my depression? please help me.

Accepted Answer

See a psychiatrist: Symptoms this severe cannot be managed without professional help. You need to see a psychiatrist as soon as possible. If your thoughts of suicide return you should go to the emergency department immediately.

Question 10

at time wake in d night mentally feeling time is flying, am gonna die,  nervousness, feeling everyting is going rong, no positivity. is it depression?

Accepted Answer

Get a physical: exam from your doc to rule out or identify chemical or hormonal issues.  Then consult a mental health professional to sort things out.  If one is not available consider speaking w/a prudent spiritual leader or aunt or uncle.  Peace and good health.

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Doctor answers about:

Depression cortisol

A member asked:

Can having a abnormally high cortisol level in your body contribute to high anxiety and depression? and what are the symptoms of having high cortisol?

A member asked:

Could depression during pregnancy cause low cortisol levels in the baby?

A member asked:

I have the same feeling on zoloft (sertraline) that i have if given cortisol. does this mean my "depression" is endocrinologically based?

A member asked:

I have depression and my doc wants to chick my tft egg testosterone and cortisol, does it good for me.

A member asked:

I have high cortisol levels. what does this mean? i am in perimenopause and have been tested for my hormone levels. a recent saliva test showed i have high cortisol levels. i have been suffering from anxiety, depression and insomnia. i am under going

A member asked:

What could be the cause of low testosterone , high am cortisol and high prolactin ? symptoms include : muscle & joint weakness & injured frequently , no sex drive , tired , mild depression

A member asked:

What does depressed morning cortisol mean?

A member asked:

What can l do about anxiety and depression

A member asked:

I'm depressed and sometimes i'd end up locked up in my room trying to commit suicide. how will i fight my depression? please help me.

A member asked:

At time wake in d night mentally feeling time is flying, am gonna die, nervousness, feeling everyting is going rong, no positivity. is it depression?

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