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Cortisol Release Patterns

Meaning

Cortisol Release Patterns describe the specific temporal and quantitative dynamics of glucocorticoid secretion from the adrenal cortex, including the frequency, amplitude, and overall shape of the cortisol curve throughout the day and in response to stressors. These patterns are not static but are highly responsive to an individual’s chronic stress load, sleep quality, nutritional status, and genetic predispositions. Clinically, evaluating these patterns, often via multiple timed saliva or urine samples, provides a superior diagnostic insight into HPA axis function compared to a single measurement. Deviations can manifest as blunted morning responses or elevated evening levels, indicating maladaptation.