At Philip Rabito, MD, in NY, Mount Sinai-trained, board-certified endocrinologist Dr. Philip Rabito and Kiran Srivastava, PA-C, who specializes in endocrinology and metabolic health, provide care for hormonal and metabolic concerns.
Four Key Facts About Cortisol
Cortisol plays several important roles in your body, and there are a few key things worth knowing about how this hormone works:
1. Cortisol Does Much More Than Respond to Stress
Your adrenal glands produce cortisol, but its role extends well beyond stressful moments. Cortisol helps regulate blood sugar, metabolism, inflammation, and blood pressure. It also helps your body respond to physical demands, illness, and changes in your daily routine.
2. Cortisol Naturally Changes Throughout the Day
Healthy cortisol levels are not supposed to remain constant. They generally rise in the morning to help you wake up and become alert, then gradually decrease as the day progresses.
That natural rhythm matters. Abnormal cortisol patterns can sometimes point to an underlying adrenal or pituitary issue that deserves further evaluation.
3. Too Much or Too Little Cortisol Can Affect Your Health
Both unusually high and unusually low cortisol levels can cause problems. Excess cortisol may occur with conditions such as Cushing syndrome, while inadequate cortisol production can occur with adrenal insufficiency.
Because cortisol influences several body systems, changes can affect your weight, blood pressure, blood sugar, energy, and other aspects of your health. Testing can help determine what is happening rather than relying on symptoms alone.
4. Stress Is Not the Only Reason Cortisol Levels Change
Stress can temporarily raise cortisol, but it is only one piece of the picture. Certain medications, pituitary or adrenal disorders, sleep patterns, and other health factors can also influence cortisol production.
That’s why ongoing concerns about cortisol imbalance are worth discussing with an endocrinology specialist.
Get Answers About Your Cortisol Levels
Concerned that cortisol or another hormone may be affecting your health? We can evaluate your concerns and determine if hormone testing is appropriate.
Schedule a consultation with Philip Rabito, MD, in New York by calling 877-703-3775.
