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Cortisol Dysregulation

Meaning

Cortisol Dysregulation describes an aberrant pattern or level of the glucocorticoid hormone cortisol, secreted by the adrenal cortex, which deviates from the normal diurnal rhythm and homeostatic range. This condition is not simply high or low cortisol, but a pathological alteration in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis signaling that impacts systemic metabolism, immune response, and stress adaptation. Chronic dysregulation can lead to profound physiological consequences, including impaired glucose metabolism and diminished immune surveillance. The clinical assessment of this state often requires comprehensive salivary or serum measurements across a 24-hour cycle.