Acute stress, also known as short-term stress, chronic stress, or traumatic stress, all trigger the release of cortisol, the hormone most appropriately known as the stress hormone. Physical stress, such as exercise, can cause the body to temporarily release cortisol, even though exercising regularly can help control cortisol levels.
While not all patients should be tested for cortisol, those who exhibit symptoms of a cortisol imbalance, those who are worried about tumors related to cortisol, those who are trying to confirm a diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome or Addison’s disease, or those who are undergoing a work-up for another medical condition may be given a blood cortisol test. Endocrinologist Dr. Victoria Finn of New York City’s Medical Offices of Manhattan says that C-reactive protein testing can help diagnose or rule out some hormonal problems.
Although it is possible to determine whether you are experiencing dangerously high or low cortisol levels through the use of cortisol tests, it is not known whether these tests offer any health benefits to individuals who are not at risk for illnesses that stem from cortisol. Your cortisol levels will rise and fall naturally during the day, so it’s normal to experience both. There are several ways to measure and track cortisol levels, such as blood, saliva, urine, or even sweat analysis via wearable sensors. Read the article
Would you like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Finn?
