Dear community,
I've just received the results of my cortisol testing and wanted to get some feedback with its interpretation.
Which ranges should I consider here? The ones in green? So if my AM cortisol is 14 and the optimal range is (14-25) then the good result would be to be up there in the 25s?
In this case I guess I have low morning, low noon, high evening and high night? Or is my approach wrong?
I'm also very very worried about my high DHEA.
Advice very appreciated.
Kind regards.
cortisol looks reasonable
High DHEA
Do you have PCOS?
mountsinai.org/health-libra...
no, not that I am aware that I have PCOS. I've checked common symptoms - I don't have acne/oily skin or excessive hair growth.. how otherwise do I know if I have it?
anakondratenko
Optimal cortisol levels shown within your test report are anywhere within the green band. Yours are all within and although at the lower end, anywhere within this range is thought to be healthy.
DHEA result is elevated and out of balance with cortisol. These are opposing anabolic/catabolic hormones and correct ratio represents good HPA axis function. Hiwever, these saliva results are only representative of free forms (not totals) that are dependant upon protein carriers (CRH & ACTH) also influenced by other hormones
Like cortisol, DHEA follows a diurnal rhythm and is influenced by stress. Both cortisol & DHEA/DHEAS are under regulatory influence of the pituitary gland and when the brain senses raising hormone levels it should decrease CRH & ACTH output. Usually after a prolonged elevated duration that becomes difficult to maintain it is DHEA levels that reduce first.
DHEA is a precursor for oestrogen and testosterone. I would say not to worry about DHEA levels at this point unless you are suffering symptoms of excess androgens such as acne, facial hair or male pattern baldness. If you are very worried you could ask your doctor for a 9am blood test for both cortisol and DHEA-S to see total levels (or do a finger prick test).
Have you ever supplemented ‘adaptogens’ so called because they help adapt the HPA axis to maintain more normalised levels of hormone output?
thank you for your reply radd . No I haven't used adaptogens yet but am considering.
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