Cortisol acts on several organs in the body, so it is an important hormone in regulating the body's functions. When it is low, it can cause symptoms such as:
• Fatigue and lack of energy, as it impairs muscle activity and contraction;
• Lack of appetite, as cortisol can regulate hunger;
• Pain in muscles and joints, as it causes weakness and tenderness in these places;
• Low fever, as it increases the inflammatory activity of the body;
• Anemia and frequent infections, as it impairs the formation of blood cells and the functioning of the immune system;
• Hypoglycemia, because it makes it difficult for the liver to release blood sugar;
• Low pressure, as it causes difficulty in maintaining fluids and regulating the pressure in the vessels and heart.
The fall in cortisol can happen due to dysfunction of the adrenal gland, which can happen due to inflammation, infection, bleeding or infiltration by tumors, or brain cancer. Another common cause of this hormone drop is the abrupt withdrawal of medications with corticosteroids, such as prednisone and dexamethasone, for example, as the prolonged use of these drugs inhibits the production of cortisol by the body.
Depression is also an important cause of this problem, as the lack of serotonin that occurs in chronic depression causes a reduction in cortisol levels.
The treatment of low cortisol, when severe, is done with the replacement of this hormone, using corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone or hydrocortisone, for example, prescribed by the endocrinologist. The cause of the fall of this hormone must also be solved, by removing the tumor, inflammation or infection that is causing the dysfunction of the adrenal gland.
Cases of low cortisol due to chronic depression and stress can be treated with psychotherapy and use of antidepressant medications, prescribed by the general practitioner or psychiatrist. An important natural way to improve depression is physical activity.
