Healthdirect Free Australian health advice you can count on.

Medical problem? Call 1800 022 222. If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately

healthdirect Australia is a free service where you can talk to a nurse or doctor who can help you know what to do.

beginning of content

The role of cortisol in the body

5-minute read

Key facts

  • Cortisol is a hormone naturally released from your adrenal glands with many essential functions for your health.
  • Your cortisol levels normally increase at times of stress.
  • You can have health problems if you produce too much or too little cortisol.
  • Corticosteroids are synthetic versions of cortisol, and if you have certain health conditions, your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids for you.
  • Anabolic steroids are different to corticosteroids. Taking anabolic steroids without a doctor’s prescription is risky, and not recommended.

What is cortisol?

Cortisol is a steroid hormone that is produced by your 2 adrenal glands, which sit on top of each kidney. When you are stressed, increased cortisol is released into your bloodstream. Having the right cortisol balance is essential for your health, and producing too much or too little cortisol can cause health problems.

Cortisol has many important functions, acting on many different parts of your body. It can help:

  • your body respond to stress or danger
  • increase your body’s metabolism of glucose
  • control your blood pressure
  • reduce inflammation

Cortisol is also needed for the ‘fight or flight’ response, which is your healthy, natural response to perceived threats. The amount of cortisol produced is controlled by your body to ensure the balance is correct.

What triggers the adrenal glands to produce cortisol?

Cortisol production by your adrenal glands is regulated by your pituitary gland. This is a pea-sized gland at the base of your brain that is sometimes referred to as the ‘master gland’ because of its wide effects on your body.

When you wake up, exercise or face a stressful event, your pituitary gland reacts. It sends a signal to your adrenal glands to produce the right amount of cortisol.

What happens when you produce too much or little cortisol?

Usually, your body produces the right amount of cortisol to keep you healthy. If you have a condition such as Cushing’s syndrome, your body produces too much cortisol. If you have a condition such as Addison’s disease, your body produces too little cortisol.

Symptoms of too much cortisol include:

  • weight gain, particularly around your abdomen and face
  • thin and fragile skin that is slow to heal
  • acne
  • female facial hair and irregular menstrual periods

Symptoms of not enough cortisol include:

If you experience any of these symptoms, your doctor may suggest a blood test to measure your cortisol levels.

What are corticosteroid medicines?

Corticosteroids are synthetic versions of cortisol. If your body does not produce enough cortisol, for example, due to a condition such as Addison’s disease, your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids for you.

However, corticosteroids are also used to treat a wide variety of other diseases. Corticosteroids have anti-inflammatory effects and are their uses include treatment of inflammatory conditions (such as asthma and inflammatory bowel disease) and skin conditions (such as psoriasis). Your doctor may prescribe corticosteroid medicines to help treat these inflammatory conditions, even if your body produces enough cortisol.

Some people take anabolic steroids to build muscles, without a doctor’s prescription. This is risky. Anabolic steroids are different to corticosteroids.

What are the side effects of corticosteroid therapy?

Because corticosteroids are powerful medicines, side effects are quite common, particularly if you need to take steroids for a long time. Short courses of steroids are unlikely to cause side effects.

Side effects of long-term steroid treatment may include:

If your doctor prescribes you corticosteroids, be sure ask how long you need to take them, and what to do if you notice symptoms recurring or medication side effects. Your pharmacist can also advise you on this.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: September 2022


Back To Top

Need more information?

These trusted information partners have more on this topic.

Top results

Cortisol | Pathology Tests Explained

Cortisol is a steroid hormone, produced by the adrenal gland, in response to the pituitary hormone ACTH. Cortisol is essential for survival. It increases in

Read more on Pathology Tests Explained website

Hormones – cortisol and corticosteroids - Better Health Channel

Cortisol helps to maintain blood pressure, immune function and the body's anti-inflammatory processes.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Synacthen test | Pathology Tests Explained

Synacthen is a manufactured drug that acts like adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) by stimulating the adrenal gland to produce more cortisol. By measuring t

Read more on Pathology Tests Explained website

Adrenal insufficiency | Pathology Tests Explained

Adrenal insufficiency is a disorder characterised by underactive adrenal glands and an insufficient production of the hormones cortisol and,

Read more on Pathology Tests Explained website

17-Hydroxyprogesterone | Pathology Tests Explained

17-OHP is steroid hormone produced by the adrenal gland as part of the process of making the important hormone cortisol. Several enzymes are required for thi

Read more on Pathology Tests Explained website

Adrenal Gland - Hormones Australia

The two adrenal glands sit above the kidneys and produce hormones that control the stress response, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, salt water balance and more.

Read more on Hormones Australia website

The Adrenal Glands | Queensland Health

What do your adrenal glands do? Find out in this episode of My Amazing Body.

Read more on Queensland Health website

Adrenal Insufficiency - Hormones Australia

Adrenal insufficiency occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormone. The treatment depends on the cause,which is determined through testing.

Read more on Hormones Australia website

Pheos and Paras - NeuroEndocrine Cancer Australia

The adrenal glands in humans lie atop the kidneys and receive hormonal and nervous system messages and responds by secreting hormones

Read more on NeuroEndocrine Cancer Australia website

Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone - Australian Pituitary Foundation

Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone (ACTH) Understanding the adrenocorticotrophic hormone ACTH is secreted by pituitary cells called corticotrophs

Read more on Australian Pituitary Foundation website

Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline

24 hour health advice you can count on

1800 022 222

Government Accredited with over 140 information partners

We are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice

Australian Government, health department logo ACT Government logo New South Wales government, health department logo Northen Territory Government logo Queensland Government logo Government of South Australia, health department logo Tasmanian government logo Victorian government logo Government of Western Australia, health department logo

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.