Cortisol Blood Test

Cortisol

Cortisol is your body's main stress hormone and is produced by the adrenal glands which are small triangular shaped glands located just above your kidneys.

Cortisol has an important role in the body’s fight or flight response during a crisis, but it also plays a key role in regulating blood pressure, controlling your sleep/wake cycle, reducing inflammation, weight and increasing your energy levels.

Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands. It helps the body react to physical and emotional stress, helps to regulate blood pressure, to control inflammation, and can affect cardiovascular function. The concentration of cortisol in the blood increases during times of stress, and it also helps regulate the immune system. Inadequate concentrations of cortisol within the blood can cause non-specific symptoms such as weight loss, muscle weakness, fatigue, low blood pressure or abdominal pain and exposure to stress can cause an adrenal crisis that requires immediate medical attention.