Medical Diagnosis - Cortisol

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Cortisol (hydrocortisone) is quantitatively the major glucocorticoid product of the adrenal cortex. Measuring cortisol levels is used to diagnose human diseases which are caused by the overproduction of cortisol in Cushing’s syndrome (CS), deficiency of adrenal steroid excretion in Addison’s disease, and for therapy monitoring (e.g. dexamethasone suppression test in Cushing's syndrome and hormone replacement therapy in Addison's disease). Cortisol plays an important role in the regulation of many essential physiological processes, including energy metabolism, maintenance of electrolyte balance and blood pressure, immunomodulation and stress responses, cell proliferation as well as cognitive functions. Elevated serum levels can be found in stress responses, psychiatric diseases, obesity, diabetes, alcoholism and pregnancy, which may cause diagnostic problems in patients with Cushing's syndrome. Low levels of cortisol are seen in patients with rare adrenal enzyme defects and after long-lasting stress.