Question 1

my cortisol level was 739nmol/l is this normal or should i be concerned?

Accepted Answer

Depends on the time: would be helpful to know what the laboratories reference range is, as cortisol levels vary over the course of the day.  When was the sample obtained?

Question 2

low on cortisol means what?

Accepted Answer

Complex: Hi. "Low cortisol" could be normal or sign of disease.  I must assume your doctor checked  cortisol because of some symptoms you've been having &amp; maybe some findings on physical exam. Cortisol fluctuates throughout the day, so WHEN it's drawn does matter. Is your ACTH high? If your doc thinks you're underproducing cortisol, provocative testing may be needed if primary problem pituitary not adrenal

Question 3

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 4

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 5

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 6

what is a cortisol swab test used for?

Accepted Answer

Adrenal/Pituitary: A cortisol swab test is used to determine cortisol levels in the saliva. This is to help identify if cortisol levels are being effected by diseases such as cushing's, addison's, or other pituitary or adrenal insufficiency. Multiple swabs are taken in order determine oscillating levels. If these are abnormal, a physician will do other tests to confirm the etiology of the cortisol level discrepancy.

Question 7

what can i expect from a cortisol test?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Hi. There are cortisol stimulation tests (direct ACTH-stimulation, insulin tolerance, and metyrapone) which test for adrenal insufficiency, cortisol suppression tests, which test for Cushing's, and the 24-hour urine cortisol, which tests for Cushing's. What you can expect depends on what your doc is testing for and what test is being used. Can you give more information? Good luck!

Question 8

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 9

how does cortisol affect the body in general?

Accepted Answer

Antiinflammatory : Cortisol is a very important anti-inflammatory hormone secreted by your adrenal cortex. It is natures prednisone. 
Too little cortisol can manifest as low blood sugar, inflammation, anorexia and other symptoms (this would be called and adrenal crisis)
too much cortisol = muscle wasting, osteoporosis, weight gain, high blood sugar, and other symptoms.

Question 10

how does cortisol affect my  fat and appetite?

Accepted Answer

See below: Cortrisol functions in the metabolism of fat, protein and carbohydrate.Cortisol can elevate blood glucose through 'gluconeogenesis'. Generally, on elevation in blood glucose decreases the sensation of hunger.

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Doctor answers about:

Overproduction of cortisol

A member asked:

My cortisol level was 739nmol/l is this normal or should i be concerned?

A member asked:

Low on cortisol means what?

A member asked:

What causes high cortisol levels?

A member asked:

Can i regulate my cortisol levels?

A member asked:

What can high cortisol levels mean?

A member asked:

What is a cortisol swab test used for?

A member asked:

What can i expect from a cortisol test?

A member asked:

Can thin people have high levels of cortisol?

A member asked:

How does cortisol affect the body in general?

A member asked:

How does cortisol affect my fat and appetite?

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