High cortisol levels associated with greater risk of death from COVID-19.

[2greys]

COVID-19 patients with very high levels of the stress hormone cortisol in their blood are more likely to deteriorate quickly and die, say researchers.

The study, led by NIHR Research Professor Waljit Dhillo from Imperial College London and Consultant Endocrinologist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, provides the first data to show that cortisol levels are a marker of the severity of the illness. The researchers suggest they can be used to identify those patients who are more likely to need intensive care.

Cortisol is produced by the body in response to stress such as illness, triggering changes in metabolism, heart function and the immune system to help our bodies cope. Our cortisol levels when healthy and resting are 100-200 nm/L and nearly zero when we sleep.

imperial.ac.uk/news/198437/...

[2greys]

It seems those of us who have any chronic disease and are stressed by it, are even more vulnerable.

[Troilus in reply to 2greys]

How strange. This seems like a bit of a contradiction. People who have naturally high cortisol levels are more likely to deteriorate quickly and die, yet if you give people whose condition has deteriorated and are likely to die a synthetic cortisol they are more likely to survive.

No wonder science can’t find a cure.

[knitter in reply to Troilus]

I take pred long term so my immune system is compromised , but steroids reduce inflammation .

[Greenrememberedhills]

That’s ab interesting finding.