Cortisol (A.M.)

Cortisol is the quintessential stress hormone, released from the adrenals in the final step of the HPA axis. Elevated morning cortisol and cortisol to DHEA-S ratio are excellent predictors of stress, metabolic and immune function, and mortality. A low morning cortisol is indicative of adrenal insufficiency, where the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol as an adaptive response to chronic stress.

Stress can be anything that interrupts the body’s homeostasis. This could be physical, emotional, psychological, infectious, among countless other contributors to systemic stress. Stress manifests through several different hormones, signaling molecules, and other processes that have numerous consequences on health. Stress tends to suppress the immune system, deplete nutrients, disrupt organ function, break down tissue, impair metabolism and ultimately contribute to intlammation and oxidative stress. All of these can result in symptoms, from fatigue and brain fog, to digestive issues, impairments in metabolism, and more. Periodic stress is normal and even healthful, but chronic stress plays a pivotal role in nearly every health issue.