Cortisol is a hormone that affects the metabolism. It is this steroid hormone that plays a huge role in the defenses of the body against hunger and stress. Therefore it is very important to know on which day of the cycle it is best to take an analysis for cortisol. The material for the study is serum.
Indications for research:
- CNS tumors,
- hirsutism,
- osteoporosis,
- hypertension,
- muscle weakness and so on.
Norm
Within a day the cortisol rate changes as follows: in the morning the hormone rises, in the evening, on the contrary, it decreases. In pregnancy, the norm of cortisol varies, as it rises approximately 2-5 times than usual. When a woman is not pregnant, an increase in cortisol actually leads to serious illness.
| Age | Cortisol level, nmol / l |
| 0 to 1 year | 28-966 |
| 1 to 5 years | 28-718 |
| 5 to 10 years | 28-1049 |
| 10 to 14 years old | 55-690 |
| From14 to 16 years | 28-856 |
| From 16 to 90 years | 140-640 |
If to count the norm for the sample, then:
- in the morning the norm is usually from 170 to 536 nmol / ml,
- in the evening - from 65 to 327 nmol / ml.
When a person is healthy, cortisol is reduced by the evening. But if a person often does not sleep at night and sleeps after that during the day, then the hormonal balance is violated.
If, as a result of the tests, abnormalities are found in the larger direction - this may mean that there is a syndrome that is marked by a tumor of the adrenal glands. In the event that the value on the contrary decreased, then we can talk about a violation of the adrenal gland or pituitary gland.
What is
Cortisol is popularly called simply the "stress hormone", it is he who protects the human body from the consequences that arise due to the huge amount of adrenaline. With a decrease in the level of cortisol, the following symptoms can be identified:
- appears weakness in the whole body,
- may have pain in the abdominal region,
- arterial pressure is significantly reduced, the
- begins to decrease weight, although the diet does not change.
If cortisol is always low, then with strong emotional experiences, there is a high probability that there will be an adrenaline stress. In this case, the help of medical personnel will be required. If the level is too high, the following signs can be seen in sick people:
- increases weight,
- on the abdomen and hips appear lilac stretches,
- increases blood pressure,
- increases the level of glucose in the body.
Need for the
study The endocrinologist at the reception gives the patient the direction for analysis. Due to this research, it is possible to diagnose serious endocrine disorders.
If a person has a disease that is associated with a violation of cortisol synthesis, then his level should be checked periodically.
A doctor who specializes in such problems should refer the patient to a blood test in the following cases:
- Addison's disease - this disease lowers blood pressure, there is weakness and pigmentation.
- With increased blood pressure, when treatment is ineffective.
- Illness of Itenko-Cushing - with this disease weight increases, stretch marks appear, blood pressure rises, muscles weaken.
How is the analysis done?
Over the course of the day, hormones change their level, which is why it is very important to take blood samples correctly. Thanks to the following tips, you can pass the analysis and get the right result:
- blood donation should be done in the morning on an empty stomach,
- when a person is going to go to take this test should refrain from physical stress, and avoid stress,
- can not drink alcohol.
Blood for this purpose is taken from the vein. The material is placed in a special container and sent to the laboratory.
Prepare for analysis should be correct, otherwise the result may be incorrect. Elevated cortisol is normal with:
- pregnancy,
- alcohol consumption,
- smoking,
- stress,
- using condoms,
- after surgical interventions,
- after trauma.
A lowered cortisol level is the norm when treatment occurs with the following drugs:
- prednisolone,
- dexamethasolone.
In order to get a detailed picture of the disease, you should take an analysis of both blood and urine - this is done to reveal a free hormone.
Urinalysis
In order to pass a urinalysis, you must collect in a sterile jar its daily amount. After sleeping, the first portion of urine should not be collected. The following data are considered to be normal indications for the collection of urine: ECLA - 60-413 nmol / day, chemiluminescent - 100-379 nmol / day.
In daily urine, cortisol can increase due to various causes, for example:
- pregnancy,
- stress,
- increased fluid intake and some other reasons.
Decreased cortisol may be due to the following reasons:
- alcoholic hepatitis,
- cirrhosis,
- chronic hepatitis,
- hypothyroidism.
For women, the analysis for cortisol is best done on the 3rd-7th day of the cycle, but the doctor can prescribe it either in the follicular period or in the lutein. Follicular period - from 1 day of the cycle for ovulation inclusive. Lutein Period - begins after ovulation and lasts until the last day of the cycle. The specialist will choose for himself, on what day it is necessary to submit the analysis, proceeding from the reasons for which it is necessary. During menstruation, this is undesirable. Men can donate blood and urine any day.
It is worth remembering that only competent interpretation of tests by highly qualified specialists will help to learn about all endocrine disorders. Therefore, having received the results of the tests you need to hurry not to the computer with the Internet, but to the treating doctor.
