However, corticosteroids are also used to treat a wide variety of other diseases.

If your body does not produce enough cortisol, for example, due to a condition such as Addison’s disease, your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids for you. What are corticosteroid medicines?Ĭorticosteroids are synthetic versions of cortisol. If you experience any of these symptoms, your doctor may suggest a blood test to measure your cortisol levels.

female facial hair and irregular menstrual periods.

thin and fragile skin that is slow to heal.

weight gain, particularly around your abdomen and face.If you have a condition such as Addison’s disease, your body produces too little cortisol. If you have a condition such as Cushing’s syndrome, your body produces too much cortisol. Usually, your body produces the right amount of cortisol to keep you healthy. What happens when you produce too much or little cortisol? It sends a signal to your adrenal glands to produce the right amount of cortisol. When you wake up, exercise or face a stressful event, your pituitary gland reacts. This is a pea-sized gland at the base of your brain that is sometimes referred to as the ‘master gland’ because of its wide effects on your body.

What triggers the adrenal glands to produce cortisol?Ĭortisol production by your adrenal glands is regulated by your pituitary gland. The amount of cortisol produced is controlled by your body to ensure the balance is correct.

increase your body’s metabolism of glucoseĬortisol is also needed for the ‘fight or flight’ response, which is your healthy, natural response to perceived threats.

Having the right cortisol balance is essential for your health, and producing too much or too little cortisol can cause health problems.Ĭortisol has many important functions, acting on many different parts of your body. When you are stressed, increased cortisol is released into your bloodstream.

Related information on Australian websitesĬortisol is a steroid hormone that is produced by your 2 adrenal glands, which sit on top of each kidney.

What are the side effects of corticosteroid therapy?.

What happens when you produce too much or little cortisol?.

What triggers the adrenal glands to produce cortisol?.

Taking anabolic steroids without a doctor’s prescription is risky, and not recommended.

Anabolic steroids are different to corticosteroids.

Corticosteroids are synthetic versions of cortisol, and if you have certain health conditions, your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids for you.

You can have health problems if you produce too much or too little cortisol.

Your cortisol levels normally increase at times of stress.

Cortisol is a hormone naturally released from your adrenal glands with many essential functions for your health.

What hormone does adrenal gland produce