Skip to main content

Cortisol Resistance

Meaning

Cortisol Resistance is a state in which target tissues exhibit a reduced sensitivity or responsiveness to the biological actions of cortisol, despite the presence of normal or even elevated circulating levels of the hormone. This functional impairment means that the body’s cells cannot properly execute the anti-inflammatory, metabolic, and regulatory functions that cortisol typically mediates. The clinical consequence is often a persistent state of low-grade inflammation, impaired glucose regulation, and a compromised stress response system. It represents a significant disruption in glucocorticoid signaling.