What Are Symptoms of Too Much Cortisol in the Body?
A high level of cortisol in the body is a condition called hypercortisolism, or Cushing’s syndrome. Excessive use of cortisol or corticosteroid medication or the body’s overproduction of cortisol causes hypercortisolism. Symptoms occur when the cortisol levels are abnormally high for an extended period of time. As cortisol is an important hormone for the body’s energy utilization and storage, there are numerous symptoms that can be attributed to this disease.
Weight Gain
One of the most common symptoms of hypercortisolism is weight gain, reports the Mayo Clinic. The weight gain typically happens in the central upper body. Patients can have fat deposits on their shoulders, chest and upper back, which may be described as a "buffalo hump." The patient’s legs and arms will appear thin. Often the patient’s face will become round and turn slightly red. This type of facial change is termed a "moon face," according to "The New York Times" Health Guide.
- One of the most common symptoms of hypercortisolism is weight gain, reports the Mayo Clinic.
- This type of facial change is termed a "moon face," according to "The New York Times" Health Guide.
Skin Symptoms
Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms in the Knees
Learn More
Hypercortisolism can cause various skin changes, according to MedlinePlus.com. People suffering from high levels of cortisol can develop acne and frequent skin infections. Purple lesions measuring at least half an inch wide can be found on the breasts, abdomen and thighs. The patient’s skin may appear thin and bruise easily. Patients may also start to increasingly grow facial and body hair.
- Hypercortisolism can cause various skin changes, according to MedlinePlus.com.
- People suffering from high levels of cortisol can develop acne and frequent skin infections.
Muscle and Bone Symptoms
High levels of cortisol also affect the muscles and bones, states "The New York Times" Health Guide. Patients may suffer from deep pain that seems to originate from the bone, weak muscles, and a chronic backache that worsens when the patient performs basic activities. The bones may also start to thin and become brittle. This can lead to a high risk for bone fractures, especially in the ribs and spine.
- High levels of cortisol also affect the muscles and bones, states "The New York Times" Health Guide.
- This can lead to a high risk for bone fractures, especially in the ribs and spine.
Gender-Specific Changes
Signs & Symptoms of Too Much Testosterone in Women
Learn More
Cushing’s syndrome can affect women and men in different ways, reports MedlinePlus.com. Women may develop excessive hair growth on the face, thorax and thighs. A normal menstrual cycle may become irregular or delayed or may even stop. Men will experience a decrease in fertility, libido and impotence. These symptoms are all reversible if the patient receives prompt medical care.
- Cushing’s syndrome can affect women and men in different ways, reports MedlinePlus.com.
- A normal menstrual cycle may become irregular or delayed or may even stop.
Neurological Symptoms
Patients with chronically high levels of cortisol may often develop neurological signs of the disease, as well as an elevation in blood pressure, according to the Mayo Clinic. Neurological signs include depression, irritability and anxiety. Patients may also develop frequent headaches and chronic fatigue.
High Blood Pressure
Cushing’s syndrome can also cause high blood pressure, also called hypertension. Blood pressure that is consistently higher than 120 mmHg over 80 mmHg characterizes this condition. The weight gain associated with high levels of cortisol also causes hypertension.
Related Articles
References
- Mayo Clinic: Cushing's Syndrome
- "The New York Times" Health Guide: Cushing Syndrome
- MedlinePlus: Cushing Syndrome
- Cushing’s disease: a multidisciplinary overview of the clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment
- STRESS RELIEF: The Role of Exercise in Stress Management : ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal
- Association between Higher Serum Cortisol Levels and Decreased Insulin Secretion in a General Population
- Chronic Stress, Cortisol Dysfunction, and Pain: A Psychoneuroendocrine Rationale for Stress Management in Pain Rehabilitation
- Current Directions in Stress and Human Immune Function
- Effects of Cortisol on Carbohydrate, Lipid, and Protein Metabolism: Studies of Acute Cortisol Withdrawal in Adrenocortical Failure | The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism | Oxford Academic
- Diurnal Cortisol Slopes and Mental and Physical Health Outcomes:A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
- Cushing’s disease: a multidisciplinary overview of the clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment
- Recent Updates on the Diagnosis and Management of Cushing's Syndrome
- Stress may add bite to appetite in women: a laboratory study of stress-induced cortisol and eating behavior - PubMed
- Central adiposity and cortisol responses to waking in middle-aged men and women - PubMed
- Stress, cortisol, and other appetite-related hormones: Prospective prediction of 6-month changes in food cravings and weight
- Adrenal Insufficiency- etiology, diagnosis and treatment
- Adrenal insufficiency – recognition and management
- Addison’s disease: identification and management in primary care
- Regular exercise is associated with emotional resilience to acute stress in healthy adults
- The protective role of exercise on stress system dysregulation and comorbidities - PubMed
- STRESS RELIEF: The Role of Exercise in Stress Management : ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal
- Physical activity as a moderator of the association between emotional eating and BMI: evidence from the Swiss Food Panel - PubMed
- Effects of Exercise and Physical Activity on Anxiety
- Role of Physical Activity for Weight Loss and Weight Maintenance
- The Role of Exercise and Physical Activity in Weight Loss and Maintenance
- Mindful Eating: The Art of Presence While You Eat
- Mindful Eating: The Art of Presence While You Eat
- Pilot study: Mindful Eating and Living (MEAL): weight, eating behavior, and psychological outcomes associated with a mindfulness-based intervention for people with obesity - PubMed
- Intuitive eating is inversely associated with body weight status in the general population-based NutriNet-Santé study - PubMed
- Emotional eating and weight regulation: a qualitative study of compensatory behaviors and concerns
- Interactions between sleep, stress, and metabolism: From physiological to pathological conditions
- Sleep and obesity
- Association between Reduced Sleep and Weight Gain in Women | American Journal of Epidemiology | Oxford Academic
- The Association Between Sleep Duration and Weight Gain in Adults: A 6-Year Prospective Study from the Quebec Family Study
- Sleeping hours: what is the ideal number and how does age impact this?
- Effects of mindfulness meditation on serum cortisol of medical students - PubMed
- Influence of mindfulness practice on cortisol and sleep in long-term and short-term meditators - PubMed
- The effect of mindfulness meditation on sleep quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials - PubMed
Resources
Writer Bio
Joseph Pritchard graduated from Our Lady of Fatima Medical School with a medical degree. He has spent almost a decade studying humanity. Dr. Pritchard writes as a San Francisco biology expert for a prominent website and thoroughly enjoys sharing the knowledge he has accumulated.