was ist cortisol — what are common causes?

Cortisol is a vital hormone produced by the adrenal cortex, regulating metabolism, blood sugar, and the stress response. Common causes of elevated cortisol include chronic stress, sleep deprivation, intense physical training, certain medications (e.g., corticosteroids), or conditions like Cushing's syndrome. Low cortisol can result from adrenal fatigue, Addison's disease, or long-term corticosteroid use. MyBody-X offers home tests for cortisol that can provide a general indication but are not diagnostic. The evidence for such tests is primarily practice-based; they lack robust clinical validation. Results should be interpreted with caution and confirmed by a medical professional if abnormalities are suspected. Safety note: Self-adjusting training or supplementation based solely on home cortisol tests may be harmful. For athletes, low cortisol might signal overtraining rather than recovery capacity.