Exposure to emotional changes so characteristic of women actually has a simple physiological explanation. The reason lies in the increase in the amount of the hormone cortisol, which in a period of intense stress is produced by the adrenal cortex. In addition to the work of the nervous system, the hormone affects the functioning of the heart muscle, brain activity and concentration of attention. Sharp fluctuations in the hormonal level indicate abnormalities in the work of the nervous system.
Effect of cortisol on the body
The minimum value of cortisol in the human body is reached during sleep. Immediately after awakening, the indicators begin to grow gradually, providing a stimulating effect on the operation of all systems:
- activation of the immune system;
- increased brain activity;
- reduced pain sensitivity.
The opposite effect occurs in the body when the hormone level is in the upper limits of the value for a long time. This entails a number of negative consequences:
- increase in blood pressure;
- decreased mental activity;
- thyroid dysfunction;
- decrease in bone density.
Similar disturbances signal that the body is in a chronic state of stress.
Blood test for hormone level
In order to determine the level of cortisol contained in the body, a blood test for biochemistry is performed. This type of laboratory research requires additional training.2-3 days prior to the delivery of the analysis, it is necessary to completely exclude:
- alcoholic beverages;
- coffee, black tea;
- cigarettes.
As for women, they need to exclude the use of oral contraceptives, estrogen containing drugs and dietary supplements, which include opiates.
It is not advisable to perform heavy physical exercises and eat fatty foods immediately before the analysis to the level of cortisol.
Cortisol norm for women
The limit values for cortisol in the woman's blood are defined in the ranges:
- in the morning hours: 140 to 620 nmol / l
- in the evening: 48-290 nmol / l
The range is wide enough and it is explained by natural hormone fluctuations duringdays. The lower limits of the norm indicate a calm state of the body. However, there are a number of factors that lead to severe hormonal growth:
- stress;
- heavy physical activity;
- sleep pattern violation;
- depression of the psychoemotional state.
The level of cortisol in the blood in women increases with the onset of puberty. The increase in indicators occurs during menstruation or pregnancy. The hormone norm for a pregnant woman is 1200 to 2100 nmol / l. But menopause is characterized by a hormonal decline.
In addition, the cause of excess hormone levels in a woman's blood may be the intake of oral contraceptives or preparations containing estrogen.
Cortisol in the blood of men: the norm of
In the body of men, like women, cortisol is responsible for the work of adaptive mechanisms. However, its influence extends to the suppression of androgen production, which to some extent affects the reproductive function of men.
Limits of hormonal norms in the body of men as well as in women vary with the time of day:
- in the morning hours: 170-535 nmol / l
- in the evening: 65-330 nmol / l
Hormonal norms for children
In the children's bodyCortisol is produced in no lesser amounts than in adults. After all, children are also subject to stressful situations. In addition, an occasion to conduct an analysis on the excess of the hormone in the blood in children, there may be a suspicion of the development of Cushing's syndrome. Which is characterized by:
- fat deposits in the face and neck;
- hypertension;
- with depressive disorders;
- sleep disturbance.
For children, cortisol levels in the blood are:
- age to year: 30-670 nmol / l
- from 1 year to 16 years: 75-630 nmol / l
Free cortisol in urine
To identify free cortisol that is not associated with blood proteins, is possible only by collecting a 24-hour urine test. To avoid distortion of results under the influence of stress, the results are collected repeatedly.
Preparation for the analysis of the content of cortisol in urine according to limitations is similar to the preparation for the analysis of blood. However, the biomaterial, in this case, is collected independently in a container with a volume of about two liters. The material is collected during the day, without the morning portion of urine.
Immediately before collection, boric acid( 1 gram) is added to the container. Upon completion, the volume of urine is noted, the contents are mixed and part of the assay, a volume of 100 ml is provided to the laboratory.
The rate of free cortisol varies from 55 to 248 nmol / day. Thanks to the received parameters it is possible to reliably reveal the hyperfunction of the adrenal cortex. However, two factors can affect the indicators:
- obesity( significantly increases the concentration of the hormone in the urine);
- renal failure( indicators are reduced and do not reflect the secretion of cortisol).
Effective urine analysis for the presence of free cortisol and to determine the Itenko-Cushing disease, when the hormone levels reach 552.0 nmol / l. A higher concentration may indicate adrenal carcinoma.
Timely laboratory tests to study the level of cortisol in the blood or urine, allow you to determine the deviations in the body and, if necessary, begin treatment.
