Background:
Cortisol is the body’s more important hormone that regulates responsiveness to physiologic stress by regulating blood sugar, blood pressure, the immune system, and metabolism. Inadequate cortisol levels (hypocortisolism) increases risks for autoimmune illness, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and pain, while excess cortisol secretion (hypercortisolism) occurs in response to chronic inflammation or stress. Cortisol imbalances typically lead to fatigue and insomnia, as well as melatonin, brain chemistry (norepinephrine -> epinephrine conversion), hypothyroidism, weight gain, chronic pain, recurrent infections, loss of appetite, depression, sugar/salt cravings, impaired sleep/wake cycles, autoimmune illness, and loss of vitality.
Goals:
To normalize cortisol/melatonin secretion patterns, minimize inflammation, decrease depletion of other beneficial hormones, and resolve fatigue, insomnia, and chronic pain.
Diagnostic Testing:
Salivary hormone testing
Costs:
$50 test kit fee applies to all tests. $500 out of pocket expense or for uninsured patients. Medicare covers this test 100%. PPO insurance covers about 75% of cost of the test.
Therapies:
Therapeutic strategy varies depending on test results.
Hypocortisolism is treated with bioidentical cortisol, activated B complex vitamins, and glandular adrenal extract. Hypercortisolism is treated with 1st chakra balancing strategies, anti-inflammatories, resolving underlying cause of inflammation, adrenal adaptogens, oxytocin, and lifestyle-based therapies.
