Lab
Serum Cortisol
search
Serum Cortisol
, Blood Cortisol, Serum Cortisol Measurement, Cortisol
See Also
Cortisol Synthesis
Adrenal Gland Physiology
Physiology
Cortisol is synthesized in the
Adrenal Cortex
, derived from
Cholesterol
See
Cortisol Synthesis
Cortisol secretion is stimulated by
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
(
ACTH
) in response to stress
See
Pituitary Gland
Cortisol functionality
Mobilizes available energy sources (
Glucose
, fats, amino acids)
Increases
Serum Glucose
by stimulating liver
Gluconeogenesis
and glycogenolysis
Increases serum
Fatty Acid
s by promoting lipolysis of adipose
Triglyceride
stores
Increases blood amino acids by breaking down proteins (outside liver)
Within liver, Cortisol induces protein synthesis
Antiinflammatory activity
Inhibit histamine release
Inhibit
Lymphocyte
production
Stabilize
Macrophage
Lysosome
s
Increases gastric acid production
References
Goldberg (2014) Clinical Physiology, Medmasters, Miami, p. 138-9
Interpretation
Normal
Cortisol 8 am: 4-19 mcg/dl
Consider dynamic testing if early morning testing<13 mcg/dl
Cortisol 4 pm: 2-15 mcg/dl
Interpretation
Increased
Cushing's Disease
Ectopic
ACTH
production
Small-cell
Lung Cancer
Chronic Renal Failure
Pregnancy
Interpretation
Decreased
Primary or Secondary adrenocortical insufficiency
Anterior pituitary dysfunction
Type your search phrase here