Cortisol
Cortisol is a very important hormone that is secreted by the adrenal glands. This hormone affects the activity of other hormones such as insulin, thyroid hormones and DHEA. Cortisol is involved in balancing blood sugar (glucose), in protein synthesis, in immune system response and in REM sleep. It also effects bone turnover rate and thyroid function. External stress or disease processes may disrupt normal function of the adrenal gland. Cortisol levels may be decreased, or may be elevated due to stress. Abnormal cortisol levels have been noted in chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, depression, anorexia nervosa, panic disorders, and many chronic illnesses.
In women normal adrenal and ovarian function are important for female health, abnormal cortisol levels may play a role in PMS, infertility, menopause or other female disorders.
In men abnormal cortisol levels have been noted in chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, depression,impotence, anorexia nervosa, panic disorders, and many chronic illnesses.
Pathway: 11-Deoxycortisol --> Cortisol
Common Names: cortisol; hydrocortisone; Kendall compound F; Reichstein substance M.; 17-hydroxycorticosterone; 11b,17a, 21-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione; 11,17,21-Trihydroxypregn-4-ene-3, 20-dione; 4-Pregnen-11b,17a,21- triol-3,20-dione; Ala-Cort;
Anflam; Cleiton; cremesone; Cobadex; Cort-dome; Cortifoam; Cortril; Dermacort; dermolate; Dermolen; Dioderm; Dome-Cort; elcorbin; Efcorlin; EF- Cortelan; Efcortelin; Evacort; Eye-Cort; Epicort;Ficorrtril; Genacort; Hidro-Colisona; HVB; Hydro- Adresson; Hydrocort;
Hydrocortisyl; Hydrocortone; Incortin-H; Kendall's compound F, Lubricort; Medicort; Meusicort; Maintasone; Mildison; Reichstein's substance M; schersoson F; Sigmacort; Texacort; Timocort; Proctoscort; Rectoid; Zenoxone; Pregn-4-ene-3,20- dione, 11,17,21-
trihydroxy-, (11beta)-; 11beta,17,21-trihydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione; 11beta, 17alpha, 21-Trihydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione; 11b,17a, 21- Trihydroxy-pregn-4-ene-3, 20-dione, (11beta); Cortef; SoluCortef; Bactine; Colifoam; Cortaid; Derm-Aid; Egocort; Hycor; Hysone;
Squibb-HC; Xyloproct; 11b,17a,21-Trihydroxypreg-4-ene-3,20-dione
Chemical Name: 11ß,17 ,21-Trihydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20- dione
Molecular Formula: C21H30O5
Molecular Weight: 362.465