Cortisol is known as the body's fight or flight hormone. Stress can cause high cortisol levels, while thyroid disease, medications or other conditions may result in high or low levels of the hormone. Cushing's Syndrome describes a disorder where there is too much cortisol in the body over a long period of time. Addison's disease is when there is a persistent lack of cortisol. The National Endocrine and Metabolic Disease Information Site describes Cushing's as a relatively rare syndrome. While people of any age can suffer from low cortisol levels, those between the ages of 30 and 50 are most likely to experience the condition.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a symptom common to both high and low cortisol levels. High levels of cortisol can disrupt sleep patterns, causing fatigue during the day. People with low levels of the hormone report difficulty falling asleep, which results in feeling less rested.
Mood Changes
A person with high or low cortisol levels may experience changes in mood. Depression, anxiety, paranoia, irritability are common symptoms. Relatives may even report emotional outbursts not typical of that family member's normal personality.
Weight Changes
Weight gain is usually a sign of high cortisol. Additionally, cortisol directs the body to store fat in the abdomen and hips, while the arms and legs tend to remain thin. Weight loss and loss of appetite may be indicative of low cortisol.
Change in Blood Sugar
Low cortisol levels can decrease blood sugar, and high levels of cortisol can increase blood sugar.
Changes in Skin
Patients with the high levels of cortisol associated with Cushing's disease may have pink or purple stretch marks on the abdomen. The Pituitary Network Association also reports people with Cushing's syndrome may have red cheeks, a condition known as plethora. Additionally, some people with Cushing's have increase fat deposits around the face, or around the shoulder blades. These fatty deposits may even settle in the upper back, resulting in a hump. Decreased levels of cortisol may cause the skin to darken in patches, and the skin may also become more sensitive.
Medline Plus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine describes skin changes that may be indicative Addison's disease, which is characterized by low cortisol levels. These skin changes can include patchy skin color, or a darkening of the skin.
Blood Pressure
As cortisol levels increase and fall, so do blood pressure readings. High cortisol levels typically result in hypertension, or high blood pressure. Low cortisol levels normally decrease blood pressure, a state known as hypotension. Both can be very serious, life-threatening conditions that should be treated immediately
Libido
A decreased sex drive can be a sign of high cortisol levels. A high level of cortisol often brings depression, which diminishes a person's interest in the things that used to bring pleasure. This may include interest in sex.
