Of course checking cortisol levels<\/strong> regularly can get expensive. Fortunately, getting a blood test<\/strong> no longer means driving to a lab or a doctor\u2019s office. Instead, it\u2019s possible to use an inexpensive at-home cortisol test<\/a>.<\/strong> Read on to discover how to reduce cortisol<\/strong> and what symptoms may indicate elevated cortisol levels<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Imagine a terrifying scenario \u2013 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/strong> don\u2019t come back down. This is highly detrimental to the human body. Not being able to reduce cortisol<\/strong> can lead to a host of health problems. That\u2019s why anyone concerned about cortisol needs to get a blood test<\/strong>. It\u2019s also important that they work with a trained medical professional<\/a><\/strong> <\/a>who can help them with a strategy designed to lower cortisol levels<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep in mind, cortisol is generally a beneficial substance. It\u2019s not only released during danger but also when one works out or wakes up. Healthy cortisol levels<\/strong> 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<\/strong> is weight gain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the pandemic, stress levels increased according to interventional cardiologist Dr. Sagger Mawri. In a Health Topics article, he explained that. \u201cMany 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.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Not every life-threatening condition has clear cut symptoms. High blood pressure can lead to strokes and heart attacks but it often doesn\u2019t reveal itself. Cortisol can be the same way. That\u2019s why anyone experiencing high levels of stress should get a blood test<\/strong>. Others who have elevated cortisol levels<\/strong> include pregnant women in their final trimester, advanced athletes, and people battling alcoholism, depression, malnutrition, and\/or anxiety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Anyone who is consistently irritable or gaining weight in their face, midsection and\/ or upper back may have elevated cortisol levels<\/strong>. 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<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The challenge is that these symptoms could be related to a host of other issues. That\u2019s why testing is so important. Kyla offers more<\/a> <\/strong>than just an at-home cortisol test<\/strong>. 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Testing alone is insufficient. In order to reduce cortisol<\/strong>, patients need to follow up with a medical professional. By completing a simple questionnaire, patients can access Kyla\u2019s proprietary risk engine<\/a> <\/strong>which uses AI to develop a personalized strategy designed to extend a patient\u2019s lifespan and reduce their health risks. That includes a comprehensive strategy designed to lower cortisol levels.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Besides the many ways elevated cortisol levels<\/strong> 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<\/strong> from stress or other external issues and those who have a condition called Cushing syndrome<\/strong>, which is driven by internal forces within a patient\u2019s 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<\/strong> 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is why an at-home cortisol test<\/strong> is so important. At Kyla<\/a><\/strong>,<\/a> the test can be followed up with a consultation \u2013 only a skilled medical professional can distinguish between elevated cortisol levels caused by outside factors like stress or diet and Cushing syndrome<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Although treatments for Cushing syndrome<\/strong> can be extensive, for anyone else there are simple ways to reduce cortisol<\/strong>. Exercise can help with stress, as can yoga. Learning mindfulness and staying in the moment can really reduce elevated cortisol levels<\/strong>. Diet is also important \u2013 certain foods like vegetables, whole grains, legumes, almonds, dark chocolate and green tea can help lower cortisol levels<\/strong>. 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<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For anyone worried that stress may be causing weight gain or other unhealthy symptoms, the first step is an a<\/a>t-home cortisol test<\/a>.<\/strong> By accessing Kyla\u2019s risk engine<\/strong><\/a> and following up with a healthcare professional, anyone with elevated cortisol levels<\/strong> can discover how to improve not just their hormones but their health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes it seems like the body is attacking itself. That\u2019s 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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":55209,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[{"id":203,"name":"Hormones","slug":"hormones","link":"https:\/\/kyla.com\/p\/blog\/category\/hormones\/"}],"tags":[207,210,206,211,209,208],"featured_image_url":"https:\/\/s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/kyla.com-wordpress\/p\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/28014356\/shutterstock_1504807865-scaled.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kyla.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58458"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kyla.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kyla.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kyla.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kyla.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=58458"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/kyla.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58458\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":58485,"href":"https:\/\/kyla.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58458\/revisions\/58485"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kyla.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/55209"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kyla.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=58458"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kyla.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=58458"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kyla.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=58458"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}How Cortisol Works <\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nSymptoms of Elevated Cortisol <\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Cushing Syndrome <\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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