Overproduction of Cortisol

[blunk]

I have been struggling to figure out some various, seemingly unconnected, issues with my health. And I think I may finally found something that seems to fit. I started off searching for information about hormone imbalances when I was dealing with uterine fibroids, as their development has been linked to estrogen dominance and other imbalances.

I ended up reading about overproduction of cortisol, and the pieces started to come together. Excess levels of cortisol are linked to sudden onset high blood pressure, high fasting blood sugar, high liver enzymes, weight gain specifically around the belly with thin arms and legs, high resting heart rate, anxiety, depression, insomnia, flushing (Rosacea), bruising easily, lack of sex drive, and irregular periods (which I attributed to fibroids). This would explain nearly every medical issue with which I am currently dealing, and I think it makes sense when looking at the ongoing trauma that I endured.

There are other signs/symptoms, too. I still have a heightened startle response despite having lived in a safe environment for many years, and even a minor disagreement leaves me feeling an urgent need for immediate escape (fight or flight).

I have a regular appointment in a few weeks with my GP, part of that is some basic blood work. My plan is to have my cortisol level tested when I go for the other blood tests. I will have to pay for it out of pocket, but it is relatively inexpensive.

I guess what I am wondering is, has anyone else experienced high cortisol levels even years after removing yourself from an abusive environment? Has anyone worked with an endocrinologist, or another type of doctor, to resolve this issue? Or has anyone suffered a similar host of symptoms with a different root cause that you would be willing to share?

Thank you all in advance for any information/help that you can provide.

[NarcKiddo]

I am glad you posted this right now.

I have just been referred to a GI specialist for consistently raised liver enzymes. I stopped drinking heavily in 2019 and the levels have not reduced. Had  my gallbladder out last year due to huge stones but the liver enzymes have not improved although my alcohol intake has got very much less since I had the op. I had an ultrasound last year which revealed the gallstones and liver looked fine at that time. I have been wondering whether stress and trauma history may have any bearing on this and will ask the consultant about cortisol levels now you mention it.

Like you, I have a very heightened startle response and a hair trigger fight/flight response. I have a high sleeping heart rate, although not a high resting heart rate when awake. I am physically very fit and was hugely surprised to discover the sleeping heart rate is high. Alcohol spikes it even higher, which is one of the the reasons why I cut down even further.

I do not have high blood pressure or high blood sugar. I do have abdominal bloating and very irregular (frequent) bleeding, but I am perimenopausal. I have also been referred for a pelvic ultrasound due to this bleeding as it has gone on long enough in spite of HRT that should be stopping it.

I bruise very easily, and always have.

I have a lung condition affecting my small airways that is not asthma and cannot be traced to any obvious physical cause. Lung issues are apparently quite common among trauma survivors. I don't know if this is related to cortisol but I mention it in case you find it relevant.

My abuse situation was with my FOO. The abuse was mainly emotional but I thought for years my FOO and upbringing was normal. I left aged 18. I continue to have trauma reactions. I started having therapy 18 months ago and can now recognise them for what they are.

Have you read "The Body Keeps The Score" by Bessel van Der Kolk? I recommend it, along with Gabor Mate's "The Body Says No".

[dollyvee]

Hi Blunk,

I've been having health problems for over 13 years and have some of the issues you mentioned (weight gain around the middle, difficulties sleeping etc). In the process of figuring things out, I did a 24hr saliva cortisol test because, like you, I thought all the pieces seemed to fit. My levels were actually very low. However, it turned out that the root cause of my health issues (weight gain, food allergies, gut dysbiosis) is/was mold and mycotoxins. Apparently, 25% of the population can't detox them from the body and it stays in the system. I also mentioned high cortisol to my trainer and he told me that even if I had high cortisol, I should still be able to lose weight. Also, high inflammation in the body can spike cortisol. So, if there are gut issues and you're eating gluten/dairy etc this can also spike inflammation and cortisol. I believe it tool a long time to bring down inflammation in my body. Active viruses are another one, like Epstein barr, herpes etc that can increase inflammation and cortisol. I definitely think chronic stress does, and did, play a factor, but for me, it wasn't the complete picture. I hope you're able to find something that works for you. I ended up seeing a very good functional medicine practitioner and she was the one who finally put two and two together after seeing naturopaths, doctors etc for many years.

Sending you support,
dolly

[Bermuda]

Hi Blunk, I haven't read all of the replies. I'm a bit rushed at the moment, so sorry if I say something that isn't relevant.

I relate to your struggles, and about five years ago I wondered the same thing. I ordered a cortisol test online, that shipped to a private clinic for diagnostics, and self-tested. I was in Germany at the time. My cortisol throughout the day, surprisingly, came back completely normal.

The things you are describing are things that SO MANY of us experience. It's sad, but it is a thing. I don't know why. You're not alone, and it's not in your head. I see an endocrinologist for hypothyroidism, which is not "well-managed"... but it doesn't account for all of the symptoms that nearly all of us share.

I wish I had the answers.

[blunk]

Thank you all for your replies.

I, too, have reduced the amount that I drink, not that it was a huge amount to begin with (2-3 drinks maybe 3-4 days a week). However, I felt guilty after my GP actually noted alcohol abuse in my chart. I have not had good experiences with doctors over the years, and find that many do not listen thoroughly, and immediately label you based on their own biases. This same doctor also noted in my chart that I was resistant to exercise, after I spent 10 minutes explaining my exercise routine to her, as well as providing a spreadsheet showing my daily BP, duration of exercise, type of exercise, calories consumed/burned. It is maddening.

I do like to idea of a Functional Medicine Doctor, I started reading up on them a bit after seeing your reply, so thank you dollyvee. Now I just have to make sure that I can find one who takes my insurance. I will also wait to see what the blood test says, and possibly reach out to an endocrinologist as well if needed.

Thank you again, at least I know that I'm not alone in all of this.

[dollyvee]

Hey Blunk,

If you ever come back to this, I'm curious how you got on? I'm starting to recognize that cortisol (and hormones) might be more of a factor, or remain elevated even as I detox mycotoxins. I've started taking pregnenolone, which has helped my mood and is known to bring down cortisol. I'm seeing a new Functional Medicine Practitioner who specializes in CIRS, and will hopefully have more info on how this affects cortisol. Before, I was under the impression (or had been told) that as I started to address the mycotoxin issue, cortisol would resolve itself, but it doesn't seem to be the case.

Sending you support,
dolly

 

[Saluki]

Thank you for posting about this. Yes, I've been away from the abusive situation for a long time and I have a ridiculously overactive startle response and get into a panic that floods me with panic hormones (is that corisol?) when something just slightly worrying happens. For example, my cats were a little longer than usual coming in for their dinner tonight and usually they come running in- today I couldn't find them anywhere and my entire body went into panic mode. Of course, they came meandering back so casually about 15 minutes later after I called...
I think I maybe should ask my GP if he can test for cortisol levels. He usually doesn't seem to offer anything, I'm not very good at describing what I mean because I panic and get my words muddled up. I'm expecting to be disappointed/refused/told there's nothing he can do... underfunding isn't helping the NHS.