Is Low Cortisol Causing Your Fatigue?

⁠We need balanced levels of cortisol (our stress hormone). Cortisol helps your body respond effectively to stress. It also plays a role in bone health, immune system response, and the metabolism of food. ⁠

Cortisol helps break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in your body. It also controls blood pressure and affects how your immune system works⁠.

However too much or too little of it being produced can cause symptoms. ⁠

Symptoms you might get from your body not producing enough cortisol

Low levels of cortisol can cause weakness, fatigue, and low blood pressure. You might feel ‘flat’ or feel like you’ve no energy left. You’ll likely wake up feeling tired - even after a good night’s sleep. This is because levels of cortisol are not high enough to give you a good wake up!⁠

You might experience other symptoms of inflammation, e.g. being more susceptible to colds. Cortisol in the right amounts is anti-inflammatory and supports the immune system so low cortisol is linked with autoimmune diseases, chronic fatigue and also PTSD. ⁠

⁠In clinic, we see women who have had an extreme flight/fight response for many years due to so many pressures we all experience - work, family, financial, relationships...⁠

Their cortisol levels have been so high for so long, their bodies have been unable to sustain levels and they are now in a low cortisol state.⁠

Getting yourself tested with a reliable hormone test, such as DUTCH, which measures your cortisol levels over a 24 hour period (as well as oestrogen and progesterone levels) should always be the first step. Once the imbalance is established, your practitioner can recommend a plan with you to get your hormones ‘back on track’, review diet and supplement support and start you on your journey back to health.

You can find out more information on the Dutch packages we offer at Pippa Campbell Health here.

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