Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress. It regulates metabolism, immune response, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.
Category: Hormones
Also known as: cortisol, serum cortisol, plasma cortisol, am cortisol, morning cortisol
Reference range: 6–18 µg/dL (Source: ABIM)
Standard unit: µg/dL
High values may indicate
High cortisol levels may indicate Cushing's syndrome, adrenal tumors, pituitary tumors (Cushing's disease), chronic stress, or long-term corticosteroid medication use.
Low values may indicate
Low cortisol levels may indicate Addison's disease (adrenal insufficiency), hypopituitarism, or abrupt withdrawal from corticosteroid medications, and can cause fatigue, weight loss, and low blood pressure.