The stress hormone
When it starts a lot of stress or the person is under psychological or physical stress for a few months, the brain sends a signal to the adrenal glands to generate cortisol. This provides concentration on the case, optimization of the body to new stress conditions, and also strengthens the heart, which will help in physical activities.
In the normal state in the adult, blood from 135 to 635 nmol/l of cortisol. Increased content of the hormone can during the last months of pregnancy, when a large stress or AIDS. Also morning cortisol levels may be higher than in the evening or other time of day.
Causes of low cortisol
Lowering cortisol levels can be associated with various diseases. Failure of the pituitary gland, which is responsible for the production of hormones, a malfunctioning adrenal gland, Addison's disease, hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver, anorexia, muscular weakness, reduced secretion of hormones, medication – all of which can be the reason of falling of level of cortisol in the blood.
If the person continuously for a long time is the tension and stress, the adrenals fail to respond to brain signals, and, therefore, the level of cortisol drops. Begins exhaustion, which leads to deterioration of human health.
Definition of cortisol in the blood
To find out your cortisol levels, you will undergo a blood test in the medical laboratory. A blood test for cortisol is performed differently from other types of analyses.
The first thing that must be done before analysis is to abandon the medication. Any kind of medicine can affect the adrenal glands or the pituitary gland, making it difficult to determine normal hormone levels.
Secondly, the day before the analysis we need to give up sports and Smoking. Otherwise, to determine the exact level will be impossible.
In addition to blood sampling for analysis, can do the urine analysis that will determine the level of cortisol, as well as to identify some special diseases like Cushing's syndrome. Such a test for cortisol in the urine will help most effectively to distinguish it from regular obesity.
To accurately determine the value of cortisol and its deviation can only be a specialist in the field of endocrinology. He will also prescribe you the necessary treatment and medications if hormone levels are too low or high.