How Do Low Cortisol Levels Affect Your Body?

Cortisol is a hormone secreted by adrenal & pituitary glands that is rich in carbohydrates & protein metabolism. It is termed as a “stress hormone”. A natural stress fighting & anti-inflammatory hormone that helps the body to remain alert. These hormones help to maintain metabolism & energize the body to fight against stress. Cortisol hormones are present in higher levels in the morning & at its lowest in nights. The count of these hormones keeps on fluctuating. The normal count of hormones required in a day is from 6 mcg/dL to 23 mcg/dL. There are various reasons that can lead to fall in the cortisol levels. Specific medications or abnormal functioning of adrenal & pituitary glands are the major reasons for it. Drop in cortisol levels can invite various ailments like low blood pressure, hyper pigmentation etc. Low cortisol levels can be supplemented with the help of synthetic steroid hormones.

Although it is rare in children, low cortisol levels in children should be identified earlier to prevent any further health crisis.

A person facing low cortisol levels may feel extremely tired & weak; the cortisol levels lower due to improper functioning of pituitary glands. These abnormalities can lead to fatigue, difficulty in glucose management, improper immune response & increased thyroid hormone production. Other physical symptoms include dizziness, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, hypotension, irritability & depression. The hormones secreted by the adrenal glands regulate glucose, potassium & sodium levels that help the body to respond to stress. Low cortisol levels also trigger gastrointestinal symptoms, these symptoms occur due to incapability of producing enough hormones that can oversee these functions.

Low cortisol levels diminish the ability to fight against infections, trauma & stress.

The systematic lack of hormones can also lead to low blood pressure. Drop in blood pressure levels will decrease the cardiac output & hence, the person suffering from it will feel lightheaded & dizzy.

If left untreated the symptoms can progress in to muscle weakness, weight loss, pain in abdomen, back & legs & other adrenal crisis.

Low cortisol levels can add in the risk of sexual dysfunction & reproductive problems. Hypopituitarism leads to common sex related problems in men & women. Women may suffer from amenorrhea i.e missed periods in childbearing age, infertility & for nursing ones decrease in milk production.

Diagnosis of this disorder is done with the help of blood & urine tests. Some physicians may use salivary cortisol to check the levels.

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