Hi there. I know when many of us went to an endo for a PCOS diagnosis, they checked cortisol levels to rule out Cushings. My endo did a blood test and my cortisol was 19....1-21 being normal range. So it's within normal barely...like most of my other blood tests. The thing is I don't have a lot of stress...no stressful job, etc, so this seems high to me. I'm a calm type B personality. I have been very sick for a long tme, though, and I've heard that having physical stress like that can make it go up. Don't know if that's the case here. Did anyone else have a similar experience?
__________________ New Year's fitness Celebration: In 2006 I cycled approximately 1800miles, hiked up 4 mountains, took a walking tour of San Francisco, hiked in 4 california national parks, swam in a pool with palm trees on my birthday, hiked and biked along the Oregon Coast, climbed to numerous breathtaking waterfalls, explored a gold mine, a silver mine and a cinnabar mine, and walked a fantastic loop along frozen streams and icecicle waterfalls at Opal Creek in winter.
Sorry, I do not have an experience to share, but I heard that hight cortisol levels can make it difficult to lose weight. I see you have lost 18 lbs (congrats!!!). How did you do it?
Thanks for the congrats and the response. I have also heard that higher cortisol makes weight loss more difficult. It makes sense. It has seemed tough and very strict and unpleasant. I have lost some weight finally now by switching from years and years of regular lowfat dieting to eating a low carb, low calorie, sugar free, low fat diet (yes, blah) divided into 4 meals a day and indoor biking 45 or more minutes 6-7 days a week. My focus has been to reduce my high insulin levels and get to feeling better. I have very recently been officially diagnosed with PCOS and given a metformin prescription and different BCPs. The weight loss has stalled now. Hopefully my body is just adjusting...
__________________ New Year's fitness Celebration: In 2006 I cycled approximately 1800miles, hiked up 4 mountains, took a walking tour of San Francisco, hiked in 4 california national parks, swam in a pool with palm trees on my birthday, hiked and biked along the Oregon Coast, climbed to numerous breathtaking waterfalls, explored a gold mine, a silver mine and a cinnabar mine, and walked a fantastic loop along frozen streams and icecicle waterfalls at Opal Creek in winter.
My cortisol was above normal (just barely), but I gather it is not unusual if you are overweight and/or your blood lipids are high. High cortisol can cause the belly fat that many of us have.
__________________ Dx November 2004
Met 1500 mg
Atenolol 25 mg & Hyzaar 50/12.5 for BP
Vaniqa cream 2X daily
Topical Clindamycin for folliculitis and rosacea
Weight loss since diagnosis - 28 pounds
"Cortisol is a steroid hormone made in the adrenal glands, which are small glands adjacent to the kidneys. Among its important functions in the body include roles in the regulation of blood pressure and cardiovascular function as well as regulation of the body's use of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Cortisol secretion increases in response to any stress in the body, whether physical (such as illness, trauma, surgery, or temperature extremes) or psychological."
__________________ New Year's fitness Celebration: In 2006 I cycled approximately 1800miles, hiked up 4 mountains, took a walking tour of San Francisco, hiked in 4 california national parks, swam in a pool with palm trees on my birthday, hiked and biked along the Oregon Coast, climbed to numerous breathtaking waterfalls, explored a gold mine, a silver mine and a cinnabar mine, and walked a fantastic loop along frozen streams and icecicle waterfalls at Opal Creek in winter.
sorta high cortisol levels 
