Testing Your Cortisol Levels

In naturopathic health circles, there is often a lot of discourse surrounding cortisol. What is it? Why is it important? What does it do? 

Let’s answer those questions together. 

What is Cortisol? 

Cortisol is defined as follows: 

A steroid hormone, in the glucocorticoid class of hormones. When used as a medication, it is known as hydrocortisone. It is produced in many animals, mainly by the zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex in the adrenal gland. It is produced in other tissues in lower quantities. It is imperative that we monitor the cortisol in our bodies to make sure it is at an appropriate and healthy level. 

Why is Cortisol Important? 

If cortisol levels are too high, we run the risk of succumbing to excess weight gain, high levels of anxiety, depression, heart disease, and other unwanted symptoms and conditions.

If cortisol levels are too low, we may experience unhealthy weight loss, chronic fatigue, dizziness, mood swings, and other symptoms and conditions. 

What Does Cortisol Do?

As the primary stress hormone, cortisol increases blood sugar (glucose),  enhances your brain's use of glucose, and increases the presence of substances that repair tissues within the body. It also slows functions that would be harmful or not useful to the flight or fight response.

Unsure of where you stand with your personal relationship to cortisol and its’ functionality in your body? Adrenal stress hormone testing and treatment are available!

 If you have questions or would like to get testing done; contact our team at contact@drerikahorowitz.com; We’d love to hear from you! 

Always be sure to contact your primary care physician before making any changes to your healthcare regimen.

Be well!

Dr. Horowitz and Team