What can happen when cortisol levels stay high?
Ask the doctor
Q. What kinds of symptoms are caused by high cortisol levels?
A. Cortisol is a steroid, specifically a corticosteroid. High blood cortisol levels can occur if the adrenal gland makes too much cortisol.
The symptoms you get with too much cortisol can also occur with long-term prednisone treatment, or treatment with another corticosteroid.
Steroid hormones such as cortisol affect your body's response to illness and your metabolism. An excess of cortisol can cause a wide range of symptoms. Common symptoms include:
- obesity, especially with rounding of the face shape and the development of a "pad" of fat just below the back of the neck
- muscle weakness
- anxiety or depression
- a tendency to bruise easily
- hair growth in undesired areas
- skipped menstrual periods or absent periods
- acne.
Excess cortisol can also cause you to develop high blood sugars like you would see in diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Image: © HRAUN/Getty Images
About the Author
Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
