High cortisol is caused by corticoid consumption for a period longer than 15 days, due to increased production of this hormone in the adrenal glands, due to the chronic stress of any tumor.
When you become aware of this problem, due to the negative effects of excess cortisol such as weight gain, high blood pressure, diabetes, and osteoporosis, your family doctor may order a cortisol test, blood mediator, or saliva.
- The control of this hormone is done by practicing physical activity and consuming foods that also help control stress and blood glucose; However.
- When high cortisol levels are severe.
- Medication or surgery may be necessary.
- Under the direction of an endocrinologist.
It causes more cortisol in the blood and prolonged use of corticosteroids, such as prednisone or dexamethasone, for more than 15 days, but the other causes are:
They cause a slight change in cortisol values, but when the increase is greater, it causes direct changes in the adrenal glands and brain.
In addition to being produced in the adrenal glands, cortisol is released into circulation to regulate various bodily functions; however, when over-prolonged for an extended period of time, it can have negative health consequences such as:
The number of these changes caused by chronic cortisol increase is Cushing syndrome. When an increase in cortisol from this syndrome is suspected, your family doctor or endocrinologist may order blood or saliva tests, which can increase the hormone in your body.
If these tests yield high results, your doctor will look for the cause of excess cortisol through a clinical evaluation and request other tests, such as a abdomen and brain scan, positron emission scanner, or scanner. Read more about: How to take the cortisol test.
Because cortisol is intimately related to emotions, a great way to regulate this hormone is to reduce stress and anxiety, which may indicate having several psychotherapy sessions, as well as participating in extracurricular and recreational activities.
In addition to this, physical activity and consumption of foods rich in protein and potassium, such as eggs, milk and their derivatives, fish, avenas, nuts, chilli and linaza, for example, can also help control cortisol levels.
Due to excess cortisol caused by the use of corticosteroids, the endocrinologist should indicate the gradual reduction of this drug.
When the cause of the most severe cortisol increases, such as a tumor in the case of Cushing syndrome, treatment is done with the use of drugs to control hormone levels such as methirapose or aminoglutimide. In addition, your doctor may suggest that the tumor be remote.
High levels of cortisol are common in the blood, especially during the last weeks of pregnancy, because the placenta produces a hormone called CRH that stimulates cortisol synthesis, increasing its levels in the body.
However, unlike the period of the embargo, these high levels of cortisol at the end of the embargo do not appear to affect the health of the baby and appear to promote the development of the brain and lungs of the fetus, so premature babies may have breathing problems For this reason, when a pregnant woman has a high risk of having a premature birth , it is common for the obstetrician to recommend the administration of synthetic cortisol to aid the development of the baby’s organs.
Complications of high cortisol, such as Cushing syndrome, are very rare during pregnancy and even during the postpartum period, as cortisol levels tend to decrease to normal values after the baby is born.