How To Raise Cortisol Levels 13 Steps With Pictures

Weight loss and low appetite Low blood pressure Fainting Fatigue Low levels of energy even when rested Vomiting, nausea and gastrointestinal pain Salt cravings Hyperpigmentation (dark spots on the skin) Muscle weakness or pain Irritability and depression Heart palpitations Lack of enthusiasm For women, body hair loss and decreased libido

There are several ways of testing cortisol including saliva, blood, and urine tests. Additionally, your doctor may test for other hormones like TSH, free T3, T4, total thyroxine, DHEA, and 17-HP, which can be precursors to cortisol. [3] X Research source The “normal” range varies from lab to lab, but in general, the average morning level for an adult or child is 5–23 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL), or 138–635 nanomoles per liter (nmol/L). The average afternoon level for an adult or child is 3–16 mcg/dL or 83–441 nmol/L. [4] X Research source Be sure to get your cortisol levels tested by a physician, rather than using an at-home method. Saliva testing kits advertised online are not as reliable as blood tests analyzed by a lab. There are a variety of factors that can affect the efficacy of the test, so you may have to get your levels checked more than once. For example, if you’re stressed, pregnant, on certain medications, or if you exercised right before the test, that could affect the level of cortisol in your blood. [5] X Research source

Primal adrenal insufficiency, or Addison’s disease, is when your adrenal gland isn’t functioning properly to produce cortisol because it is damaged. This can be caused by autoimmune disease, tuberculosis, infection of the adrenal glands, cancer in the adrenal glands, or bleeding into the adrenal glands. Secondary adrenal insufficiency occurs when the pituitary gland, which produces a hormone that stimulates the adrenal glands, is diseased. The adrenal glands may be fine, but since they aren’t being properly stimulated by the pituitary, they don’t produce enough cortisol. Secondary adrenal insufficiency can also happen when people taking corticosteroids abruptly stop taking them. [6] X Research source

Avoiding stress Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, even on weekends Avoiding caffeine and alcohol Exercising Practicing yoga, meditation, and positive visualization Eating avocados, fatty fish, nuts, olive oil, and coconut oil Avoiding sugar, processed food, and microwavable foods

You will need to regularly test your cortisol levels during hormone replacement therapy to make sure you don’t have too much or too little cortisol in your body. Oral corticosteroids have many different side effects; they can cause weight gain, mood swings, and other unpleasant symptoms. Talk with your doctor about things you can do to mitigate the side effects. [8] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source

If your adrenal glands have suffered irreversible damage, or if you have a permanent condition that will always cause your adrenal glands to be low-functioning, continued hormone replacement therapy may be the best option. However, if the cause of your cortisol deficiency is related to a secondary factor such as pituitary disease, cancer, tuberculosis, or bleeding, there may be a treatment option that will restore your body’s capacity to produce adequate cortisol.

Try stress management techniques like journal writing, yoga or meditation to teach your body to produce cortisol regularly and maintain healthy levels.

Create a peaceful environment with no light or noise to get deep sleep and aid cortisol increase.

Look for licorice herb supplements in tablet or capsule form at a vitamin or health food and supplement store. Avoid using licorice candy as a supplement. It doesn’t contain high enough amounts of glycyrrhizin to be useful.

Natural iron supplements can be taken if you need an increase in energy as well.