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Low cortisol can cause mild symptoms such as low blood pressure, weight loss, and fatigue, but can also lead to life-threatening symptoms like low blood pressure, vomiting, and unconsciousness. Addison’s disease is the most common cause of low cortisol, and treatment involves hormone replacement. Regular medication is necessary to manage the disease.
A person with low cortisol may initially experience gradual and mild symptoms such as low blood pressure, hypoglycemia, and weight loss. Furthermore, it is not uncommon for the individual to feel depressed, irritable and very tired. Diarrhea, weakness and pain in the joints are also common. Symptoms of low cortisol often go unnoticed at first because they tend to be very nonspecific. The sufferer will likely believe that these problems are related to some other temporary condition and may not seek medical attention until more serious symptoms begin.
When cortisol levels reach critically low levels, life-threatening symptoms could develop. These include dangerously low blood pressure levels, vomiting and unconsciousness. In most cases, these severe symptoms occur all at once with little warning. If medical attention is not received immediately, it is possible that the individual could die. When these severe symptoms of low cortisol occur, it is often referred to as an Addison’s crisis, which is the most dangerous stage of Addison’s disease, the most common cause of low cortisol.
Addison’s disease normally affects people between the ages of 30 and 50 and occurs because the body’s immune system begins attacking the adrenal cortex. Cortisol is produced within the adrenal gland and when a person has this disease, they cannot produce this hormone in adequate quantities. It is very important that a person’s body has enough cortisol because it keeps blood pressure and blood sugar levels regulated. Cortisol also acts as an anti-inflammatory throughout the body.
It’s a good idea for anyone experiencing low cortisol symptoms to see a doctor as soon as possible to reduce the chances of experiencing more severe symptoms. Diagnosing a person with Addison’s disease typically involves a series of tests to measure blood cortisol levels. If a person is diagnosed with Addison’s disease, they typically start treatment right away, often with hormone replacement. Unfortunately, there is no cure for Addison’s disease, and a person diagnosed with it will need to be on the hormones indefinitely to avoid life-threatening complications. As long as medications are taken regularly, however, the disease can generally be managed.
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