In brief
A hormone made by the adrenal glands that affects many body functions. It helps regulate blood glucose, reduces inflammation and rises with stress.
- Signs of Cushing's syndrome include a rounded face and weight gain, especially around the torso.
- Addison's disease is treated by replacing the missing hormones with medicines such as hydrocortisone, usually for life.
- A dexamethasone test helps tell Cushing's syndrome apart from the effects of stress, according to Pathology Tests Explained.
How it works
Cortisol levels follow a daily pattern, rising in the early morning and peaking at about 8 am. A hormone called ACTH tells the adrenal glands to produce cortisol, and stress raises cortisol levels.
Cushing's syndrome means the body is exposed to too much cortisol, which can be caused by a tumour or by taking high doses of steroid medicines for a long time. In Addison's disease, the adrenal glands do not make enough cortisol and aldosterone. Both are rare and are diagnosed with blood, urine or saliva tests.
Connections
5 connections on the map. Select a topic to read its page.
Cortisol can be raised by
Stress raises cortisol, and a hormone called ACTH tells the adrenal glands to produce it.
Cortisol is controlled by
Cortisol levels follow a daily pattern, rising in the early morning.
Cortisol helps control
Cortisol helps regulate blood glucose levels.
Cortisol is made by
Cortisol is made by the adrenal glands, which sit on top of your kidneys.
Cortisol can lower
Cortisol reduces inflammation.
Lab tests
Medicines and supplements
General education only. Never start, stop or change a medicine without your prescriber.
Sources
Each connection above names its own source. See every source AskBioMap uses.
Summarised from Pathology Tests Explained and healthdirect. Sources read on 13 and 19 October 2026. General education only, not medical advice. Spotted a mistake? Please tell us through the HuBu-Intel contact page.