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Cortisol Rhythm Inversion

Meaning

Cortisol Rhythm Inversion describes a pathological alteration of the body’s natural diurnal cortisol pattern, where the peak concentration occurs at an atypical time, often in the evening or night, instead of the expected sharp morning elevation. This dysregulation is a clinical indicator of chronic HPA axis stress and maladaptation, significantly impacting the circadian clock and sleep architecture. The inversion of this critical glucocorticoid rhythm can lead to profound symptoms of fatigue, insomnia, and metabolic disturbance. Restoring the correct physiological pattern is a central therapeutic goal in managing adrenal dysfunction.