Meet Cortisol, the Hormone You Can't Ignore
Understanding the stress hormone's impact on metabolism, sleep, immunity, and overall health
5. Causes of low cortisol levels
A variety of things can cause low cortisol levels. Addison's disease is a condition where the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol. It is usually caused by an autoimmune disease where the body attacks and damages the adrenal glands.
Other causes of Addison's disease may include certain infections, like tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, or anything that weakens the immune system. Anything that affects the pituitary gland can also affect cortisol production, including tumors, genetic diseases, surgical removal of the pituitary gland, or traumatic brain injury.
Another possible cause of low cortisol levels is suddenly stopping steroids after taking them for an extended time. High levels of corticosteroid medication in the blood cause the body to make less cortisol. If the medication is stopped suddenly, the adrenal glands may take some time to begin producing cortisol normally again. For this reason, doctors usually prescribe a slow taper where the dose is slowly lowered over time to give the adrenals time to start producing cortisol again.
Popular Now on Facty Health
Disclaimer
This site offers information designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on any information on this site as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or as a substitute for, professional counseling care, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional.