Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, which has important effects on the regulation of the body, and therefore, if it is low, it produces several bad effects on the body, such as fatigue, loss of appetite and anemia. The causes for low cortisol may be dysfunction of the adrenal glands due to chronic depression, inflammation, infection or tumor, for example.
Another important cause of low cortisol is the abrupt discontinuation of the use of any steroids that are being used, such as prednisone or dexamethasone. To treat this problem, the cause must be resolved, by treating depression or the tumor, for example, and if cortisol is too low, replace the levels of this hormone with the use of corticosteroids, such as hydrocortisone, prescribed by the endocrinologist.
Main symptoms of low cortisol
Cortisol acts on several organs in the body, so it is an important hormone in regulating the body's functions. When it is low, it can cause symptoms such as:
- Fatigue and lack of energy, for impairing muscle activity and contraction; Lack of appetite, as cortisol can regulate hunger; Pain in the muscles and joints, for causing weakness and tenderness in these places; Low fever, as it increases the body's inflammatory activity; Anemia and frequent infections, as it impairs the formation of blood cells and the functioning of the immune system; Hypoglycemia, because it makes it difficult for the liver to release blood sugar; Low pressure, because it causes difficulty in maintaining fluids and regulating the pressure in the vessels and heart.
In pregnant women, low cortisol, if left untreated, can cause difficulties in the development of the baby's organs, such as the lungs, eyes, skin and brain. For this reason, if these symptoms are present during pregnancy, the obstetrician must be informed, so that the diagnosis can be made and appropriate treatment started.
Dysfunction of the adrenal glands can also cause Addison's syndrome, which is characterized by, in addition to the fall in cortisol, other minerals and androgen hormones. Learn more about Addison's syndrome and its effects on the body.
What causes
The fall in cortisol can happen due to dysfunction of the adrenal gland, which can happen due to inflammation, infection, bleeding or infiltration by tumors, or brain cancer. Another common cause of this hormone drop is the abrupt withdrawal of medications with corticosteroids, such as prednisone and dexamethasone, for example, as the prolonged use of these drugs inhibits the production of cortisol by the body.
Depression is also an important cause of this problem, as the lack of serotonin that occurs in chronic depression causes a reduction in cortisol levels.
Low cortisol is detected by tests that quantify this hormone in the blood, urine or saliva, and are requested by the general practitioner. Learn more about how the cortisol test is done.
How to treat
The treatment of low cortisol, when severe, is done with the replacement of this hormone, using corticoid medications, such as prednisone or hydrocortisone, for example, prescribed by the endocrinologist. The cause of the fall of this hormone must also be solved, by removing the tumor, inflammation or infection that is causing the dysfunction of the adrenal gland.
Cases of low cortisol due to chronic depression and stress can be treated with psychotherapy and use of antidepressant drugs, prescribed by the general practitioner or psychiatrist. An important natural way to improve depression is physical activity and the consumption of foods that help in the production of serotonin, such as cheese, peanuts, nuts, and bananas, for example. See more about foods that increase serotonin.
