Cortisol Concerns

jennyloie1
jennyloie1 Posts: 35 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Anybody experienced cortisol issues? I was in a traumatic event some months ago and it seems that since then, anytime I exhibit stress, my body reacts by gaining weight. My doc said this is most likely am overabundance of cortisol. Any good supplements or tips on this?

Replies

  • ghissell789
    ghissell789 Posts: 1 Member
    Hello , I was having Cortisol issues, I cut coffe and adding vitamin C to my diet is really helping me .
  • jennyloie1
    jennyloie1 Posts: 35 Member
    I saw that it could help to give up coffee, but for the love!!! I've already given up wine, what more does the universe want of me!
  • galgenstrick
    galgenstrick Posts: 2,086 Member
    Stimulants can cause stress, and stress increases cortisol. If you can reduce stress with exercise, walking, relaxing, etc. then you don't really need to give up caffeine
  • PaulaWallaDingDong
    PaulaWallaDingDong Posts: 4,647 Member
    What did the doctor do, or propose to do to diagnose and treat the suspected cortisol issue?
  • galgenstrick
    galgenstrick Posts: 2,086 Member
    Depending on the dr., they will either say to reduce stress or refer you to an endocrinologist who will most likely do some thyroid tests, then tell you to reduce stress.
  • jennyloie1
    jennyloie1 Posts: 35 Member
    He said that testing for cortisol levels is a pain, so before we officially go that route, he wanted me to try reducing stress or working on stress management. But with high stress jobs, that's kind of hard to do. I've wondered if cortisol control supplements actually work.
  • galgenstrick
    galgenstrick Posts: 2,086 Member
    edited March 2016
    jennyloie1 wrote: »
    He said that testing for cortisol levels is a pain, so before we officially go that route, he wanted me to try reducing stress or working on stress management. But with high stress jobs, that's kind of hard to do. I've wondered if cortisol control supplements actually work.

    Unless it's medically necessary, I would avoid any pills they try to prescribe. None of the side effects are worth it.

    Cortisol testing is not a pain, the most reliable method is getting a salivary test done 4x in a day and looking at the curve, it's as easy as spitting into a test tube. You can order the test online and do it yourself. However, no matter what you find, you'll likely be told the first treatment is to reduce stress...

    Since it was triggered by an event, then it's not likely an endocrine problem, but it's good to get your thyroid checked every once in a while because thyroid diseases are so common.
  • jennyloie1
    jennyloie1 Posts: 35 Member
    No, for an accurate, not at home testing, they have to do blood testing. But they have to put you through levels of stress inoculation during blood tests to see if the levels of cortisol are higher than a normal range.
  • galgenstrick
    galgenstrick Posts: 2,086 Member
    jennyloie1 wrote: »
    No, for an accurate, not at home testing, they have to do blood testing. But they have to put you through levels of stress inoculation during blood tests to see if the levels of cortisol are higher than a normal range.

    It's been shown in several studies that serum is not more accurate. But either way, the treatment is the same.
  • HippySkoppy
    HippySkoppy Posts: 725 Member
    @jennyloie1 after several blood tests over an extended period of time came back with raised cortisol levels I really looked into any lifestyle changes I could make.

    I started meditating, every single day....Yoga and stretching as well, dropped a high intensity cardio workout that just seemed to make me more agitated and tried to eat well, have decent sleep hygiene and took extra care of myself. started to really say No to extra burdens that I might have engaged in ie: Do I really want to go babysit??? Do I really want to go out for drinks???

    I'm sorry you have experienced a traumatic event, maybe counselling could help work through this event and help resolve it for you, rather than perhaps reliving the initial response every day for an extended period after the event.

    My levels did go down, a little but unfortunately I was ill with Lupus and this was the ultimate cause of the issue, so don't be afraid to push your Dr. to investigate this issue if you feel there is more to it than a totally understandable human response.

    I wish you well.
  • successgal1
    successgal1 Posts: 996 Member
    The long term, medication free way is to find a less stressful line of work.
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