Sometimes it seems like the body is attacking itself. That’s because the human body contains substances and systems that can both help and harm. Glucose provides needed energy but consistently high levels of blood sugar can damage internal organs like the heart and liver. Immune systems are designed to keep people safe but when a person is allergic that same system overreacts to harmless substances like pollen, milk, or peanuts. The result can be as mild as a rash or as deadly as a blocked airway. Cortisol can save a person’s life. It can also shorten it. 

Because elevated cortisol levels that persist for months or years can damage a person’s heart, their immune system, and many other important functions of the human body, knowing how much cortisol is in the bloodstream is essential. Only then can they work with a medical professional to develop an action plan designed to lower cortisol levels.  

Of course checking cortisol levels regularly can get expensive. Fortunately, getting a blood test no longer means driving to a lab or a doctor’s office. Instead, it’s possible to use an inexpensive at-home cortisol test. Read on to discover how to reduce cortisol and what symptoms may indicate elevated cortisol levels.

How Cortisol Works 

Imagine a terrifying scenario – a mother racing to pull her toddler out of the way of traffic or a firefighter escaping a burning building. The fight-or-flight response is the result of evolution. Humans and their ancestors had to outrun predators or otherwise escape from danger. In the case of the mom or the first responder, their sympathetic nervous systems alerts their brains. This signals the adrenal gland to release adrenaline. This gives them a sudden burst of energy and so much more. Their heart rate accelerates, their pupils dilate, and they enjoy brief, laser-like focus on the problem at hand. Their digestive system is even shut down, allowing powerful muscle contraction. 

Even as adrenaline pumps through the body, another vital substance is released: cortisol. Not only does this hormone keep the body in a focused state of high alert but it also signals the liver to release stored glucose for a burst of energy. This burst of power is designed to be temporary, a reaction to immediate danger. Stressing over the mortgage or fighting with a spouse can also result in elevated cortisol levels. The problem is, for some people cortisol levels don’t come back down. This is highly detrimental to the human body. Not being able to reduce cortisol can lead to a host of health problems. That’s why anyone concerned about cortisol needs to get a blood test. It’s also important that they work with a trained medical professional who can help them with a strategy designed to lower cortisol levels. 

Keep in mind, cortisol is generally a beneficial substance. It’s not only released during danger but also when one works out or wakes up. Healthy cortisol levels help people by regulating the immune system; cortisol also improves memory, lowers pain sensitivity, and even regulates blood pressure. However, too much of a good thing is almost always a problem. For many, the first and most noticeable symptom of consistently high cortisol levels is weight gain. 

Following the pandemic, stress levels increased according to interventional cardiologist Dr. Sagger Mawri. In a Health Topics article, he explained that. “Many people reacted to the stress of the pandemic with unhealthy weight changes, a decline in physical activity, and increased alcohol consumption. In fact, the average weight gain was 26 pounds among those who gained more weight than they wanted.” 

Symptoms of Elevated Cortisol 

Not every life-threatening condition has clear cut symptoms. High blood pressure can lead to strokes and heart attacks but it often doesn’t reveal itself. Cortisol can be the same way. That’s why anyone experiencing high levels of stress should get a blood test. Others who have elevated cortisol levels include pregnant women in their final trimester, advanced athletes, and people battling alcoholism, depression, malnutrition, and/or anxiety. 

Anyone who is consistently irritable or gaining weight in their face, midsection and/ or upper back may have elevated cortisol levels. Other symptoms include persistent headaches, fatigue, problems healing and high blood pressure.  Thinning hair, bruising easily, or having a flushed face are also signs that one needs to reduce cortisol.  

The challenge is that these symptoms could be related to a host of other issues. That’s why testing is so important. Kyla offers more than just an at-home cortisol test. Included in their primary care and hormone panels are tests for vitamin and mineral deficiencies, thyroid, testosterone, and other hormone levels along with tests to help determine heart and blood sugar health. 

Testing alone is insufficient. In order to reduce cortisol, patients need to follow up with a medical professional. By completing a simple questionnaire, patients can access Kyla’s proprietary risk engine which uses AI to develop a personalized strategy designed to extend a patient’s lifespan and reduce their health risks. That includes a comprehensive strategy designed to lower cortisol levels. 

Cushing Syndrome 

Besides the many ways elevated cortisol levels can harm health, one specific condition is related to a hormonal imbalance. The challenge is that weight gain is the primary symptom for both people who have high cortisol levels from stress or other external issues and those who have a condition called Cushing syndrome, which is driven by internal forces within a patient’s body (often the result of either diabetes or glucocorticoid medicines which are used to treat lupus, asthma and other inflammatory diseases. The distinction is that those who have Cushing syndrome generally show weight gain not only in the face and midsection but have a distinctive fatty lump between their shoulders. Purple or pink stretch marks can often be seen in places like the hips, thighs, and stomach while their skin is often fragile. 

This is why an at-home cortisol test is so important. At Kyla, the test can be followed up with a consultation – only a skilled medical professional can distinguish between elevated cortisol levels caused by outside factors like stress or diet and Cushing syndrome. 

Although treatments for Cushing syndrome can be extensive, for anyone else there are simple ways to reduce cortisol. Exercise can help with stress, as can yoga. Learning mindfulness and staying in the moment can really reduce elevated cortisol levels. Diet is also important – certain foods like vegetables, whole grains, legumes, almonds, dark chocolate and green tea can help lower cortisol levels. Water is also important as is reducing alcohol intake and stressful thoughts. Getting enough sleep and even playful pets are all great ways to reduce cortisol levels. 

For anyone worried that stress may be causing weight gain or other unhealthy symptoms, the first step is an at-home cortisol test. By accessing Kyla’s risk engine and following up with a healthcare professional, anyone with elevated cortisol levels can discover how to improve not just their hormones but their health. 

Sources:

1. “What is cortisol?” Cleveland Clinic. December 10, 2021. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22187-cortisol
2. Mawri, Sagger. MD. “Beware High Levels of Cortisol, the Stress Hormone,” Health Topics (Premier Clinic). August 23, 2022. https://www.premierhealth.com/your-health/articles/women-wisdom-wellness-/beware-high-levels-of-cortisol-the-stress-hormone
3. Thau L, Gandhi J, Sharma S. Physiology, Cortisol. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; January 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538239/
4. “Cortisol (Blood)(Does this test have other names?)” University of Rochester Medical Center. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=cortisol_serum
5. Santos-Longhurst, Adrienne. “What Are the Symptoms and Causes of High Cortisol Levels?” Healthline. January 25, 2024. https://www.healthline.com/health/high-cortisol-symptoms
6. “Chronic Stress Puts Your Health at Risk,” Mayo Clinic. August 1, 2023. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037
7. “Cushing Syndrome,” Mayo Clinic. June 7, 2023. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cushing-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20351310
8. “Cushing’s Syndrome,”National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (National Institutes of Health). May 2018. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/cushings-syndrome