was bedeutet low cortisol — can a microbiome test help?

Low cortisol (hypocortisolism) may indicate adrenal insufficiency, either primary (Addison's disease) or secondary (pituitary disorder). Symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, low blood pressure, and electrolyte imbalances. A microbiome test cannot directly measure cortisol – cortisol is a hormone produced in the adrenal cortex. However, there is emerging research on the bidirectional communication between the gut microbiome and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Certain gut bacteria may influence neurotransmitter and short-chain fatty acid production, which in turn can modulate HPA activity. But this evidence is largely mechanistic and from animal studies; no clinical guidelines support using microbiome tests for cortisol-related conditions. Therefore, a microbiome test is not a valid tool for diagnosing or managing low cortisol. If adrenal insufficiency is suspected, proper blood tests (cortisol, ACTH, renin) and an endocrinologist are necessary. The evidence is mechanistic/unclear, and marketing often overstates the connection.