Guest guest Posted September 16, 2003 Report Share Posted September 16, 2003 (With no hope of keeping up with the discussion :-)... Normally cortisol fluctuates throughout the day, and overall it should go from higher in the AM (to get you up and going) to lower in the PM (to allow you to sleep). In my experience, too-high cortisol doesn't just eventually revert to low cortisol. That's why the saliva test done at four different times of day, the Adrenal Stress Index test done by Diagnos-Techs in Seattle, is more accurate than the standard testing. I had a standard blood test for cortisol and was told my adrenals were fine. My real cortisol curve as measured by the saliva ASI test turned out to be a seesaw going in the wrong direction (too low in the AM, too high in the PM), but since the blood testing had been done somewhere around the middle, all it picked up was that " normal " reading. The ASI testing showed that I'm at stage 4 out of 7 stages of adrenal fatigue. Quite a different result than my internist got with the blood test! So if anyone wants to know a bit more about their cortisol response, I would recommend that test. The kit can be ordered through Dr. Poesnecker at www.chronicfatigue.org Schwarzbein also uses it, along with specialized insulin testing, www.schwarzbein.com - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 9, 2003 Report Share Posted October 9, 2003 I wonder if i have issues with this too? I know that they can do a blood test to see. I have the issue with the increasing waist size, I mean I am pretty tiny, but if I gain a pound that is the only place it ever goes, to my waist, never my butt, thighs or (Sigh) boobs! I wonder? I am never really tired though, if anything too much energy. Could that be a symptom? I never ever EVER seem to be able to get enough sleep either, drives me crazy! I should give up that morning latte I know( i did switch to sugar free) ha ha. Anyhow that is something I should consider but I HATE having anymore blood drawn, I swear I have no viens left, now they have to go in my hand to find one, someday I will need surgery and they will end up putting the friggin IV in my foot! OUCH! Hugs C In , " Dave & Patty " <faussettdp@y...> wrote: > At normal levels, cortisol performs vital tasks in the body, such as maintaining blood pressure and cardiovascular function, reducing the immune system's inflammatory response, balancing the effects of insulin breaking down sugar for energy, and regulating the metabolism of proteins and fats. Its most important job, however, is to help the body respond to stress. But when chronic stress causes too much cortisol to be secreted, the results can be disastrous. > > Everyday signs of too much cortisol include: > > a.. rapid weight gain, especially around the middle; > b.. mood disturbances, such as irritability and anger; > c.. high blood pressure; and > d.. excessive fatigue. > In addition, people with chronic stress and high levels of cortisol may be at risk of developing depression. The excess cortisol can also destroy brain cells in the hippocampus, impairing the short-term or working memory. > > With such an array of stress-related health concerns, we need to protect ourselves from work-related stress. True stress reduction depends on eliminating the high-demand, low-control or high-strain jobs that cause so much stress in the first place. > > <snip> > > Get more sleep: If you sleep fewer than eight hours a night, you may be building up a sleep deficit. Not enough sleep has been associated with high blood pressure and cortisol levels. > > Lose a little weight: At least two studies have found that if you lose as few as 10 pounds, cortisol levels go down. > > Get some exercise: Regular exercise (30 minutes of moderate exercise four or five days a week) will reduce cortisol levels and blood pressure. > > Find social support at work and in your family: Research has found that people with large social networks succumb less often to work- related stress than isolated workers. > > Map out alone time, especially if you are female: Working women who are parents secrete much higher levels of cortisol day and night (regardless of their marital status) than women without children, studies have shown. > > Place yourself in situations where you feel more in control: Get involved in the union, the PTA, church or other community organizations. > > Find ways to have more fun and joy in your life > > Try not to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs: Alcohol, in particular, has been shown to raise cortisol levels in heavy drinkers. > > http://www.aft.org/newmembers/psrp/stress.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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