High cortisol is caused by the consumption of corticosteroids for more than 15 days, or by increased production of this hormone in the adrenal glands, due to chronic stress or a tumor.
When this problem is suspected, due to the negative effects of excess cortisol, such as weight gain, high blood pressure, diabetes and osteoporosis, your family doctor may order the cortisol test, measuring blood, urine or saliva.
- This hormone is controlled by physical activity and the consumption of foods that control stress and blood sugar.
- Such as yams.
- Oats.
- Eggs.
- Flaxseeds and milk and their derivatives.
- For example.
- However.
- When elevated cortisol levels are severe.
- Medication or even surgical treatment is necessary.
- Guided by the endocrinologist.
The use of corticosteroids, such as prednisone or dexamethasone, for more than 15 days is the most common form of excess cortisol in the blood, but the other causes are:
Stress usually causes a slight change in cortisol values, while more severe and severe increases are caused by direct changes in the adrenal glands and brain.
When it is produced in the adrenal glands, cortisol is released into circulation to regulate body functions. However, when it is in excess, and for a long time, this can lead to bad consequences such as:
The name of these changes caused by chronic cortisol growth is Cushing syndrome. When this syndrome or an increase in cortisol is suspected, your family doctor or endocrinologist may order blood, urine, or saliva tests to show the increase in this hormone in your body.
Se esses exames tiverem valor alto, o médico irá, em seguida, investigar a causa do excesso de cortisol, pela avaliação clínica, e através de tomografia ou ressonância magnética, do abdome e cérebro, PET ou cintilografia.
Saiba mais sobre como é feito o exame do cortisol
Because cortisol is closely related to the emotional system, a good way to regulate cortisol is to reduce stress and anxiety through psychotherapy and recreation. In addition, physical activity and intake of foods high in protein and potassium, such as eggs, milk and dairy products, fish, oats, almonds, chestnuts, chia and flaxseed, can also help.
However, if excess cortisol is caused by the use of corticosteroids, it should be phased out, for several days, with the advice of the family doctor or endocrinologist.
When the cause of increased cortisol is more severe, such as a tumor, treatment is done with the use of drugs to control the amount of the hormone, such as metirapon, aminoglytimide, for example, and surgery to remove this tumor, which will be decided and programmed between the patient, the endocrinologist and the surgeon.
Saiba como fazer um tratamento natural que ajuda a controlar o cortisol alto.
High levels of cortisol are common during pregnancy, especially in the later weeks of pregnancy, as the placenta produces a hormone, called CRH, which stimulates the synthesis of cortisol, increasing its levels in the body of the pregnant woman.
However, unlike out-of-pregnancy, these high levels of cortisol during pregnancy do not seem to affect the health of the mother or baby, as this is a necessary increase to maintain a healthy pregnancy and even seems to help. development of the fetal brain and lungs. For this reason, babies born prematurely are more likely to have breathing problems. Thus, when pregnant women are at high risk of preterm birth, it is common for the obstetrician to recommend the administration of synthetic corticosteroids, to help 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 drop to normal levels after the baby is born.