Many Americans are leading stress-filled lives. That’s not baseless conjecture but rather a harsh reality supported by numerous studies, one of which comes from Gallup, a renowned global analytics and advisory firm specializing in public opinion polling. It revealed that around 49% of Americans report frequently experiencing stress. In addition to impacting mental health, stress can take a toll on one’s physical health due to how it affects hormone levels, namely cortisol.
What More People Should Know About Cortisol
Cortisol is a steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal glands. It is often referred to as the body’s primary stress hormone due to its association with the fight-or-flight response, the physiological reaction that occurs when the body perceives a threat or danger.
In a threatening or dangerous situation, cortisol works alongside adrenaline to trigger a series of physiological changes in the body that not only enhance performance but also reaction time. Some of these include increased heart rate and blood pressure, rapid breathing, and muscle tension. Dilated pupils and the redirection of blood flow away from non-essential functions are also associated with the fight-or-flight response.
While a temporary increase in cortisol is helpful when it comes to escaping or confronting a threatening or dangerous situation, prolonged or extremely high cortisol levels can be harmful. That’s because both can adversely affect human growth hormone (HGH) production in the body.
Human Growth Hormones and Cortisol: Understanding the Relationship Between the Two Hormones
Cortisol and human growth hormones have a complex and reciprocal relationship insofar as they influence each other’s levels. Under normal, nonthreatening or dangerous conditions, healthy cortisol levels support normal growth hormone secretion and bone health. But high cortisol levels, in response to threatening or dangerous conditions, can suppress HGH production in the body. Eventually, that suppression can lead to below-average growth hormone levels or a full-on growth hormone (GH) deficiency. When this happens, it can trigger an array of unpleasant symptoms, some of which include the following:
- Anxiety and depression
- Brittle bones
- Fatigue
- High cholesterol
- Increased sensitivity to heat and cold
- Low libido
- Memory problems
- Mood swings
- Poor mental clarity and focus
- Reduced muscle mass
- Reduced strength and stamina
- Weakened cognitive function
- Weight gain
How High Cortisol and Low HGH Affects Skin Health and Appearance
Studies show that low human growth hormone side effects associated with high cortisol levels are numerous. Some of the most common include dry and thinning skin, reduced collagen, and inflammation. Reduced skin capacitance and sebum content, both of which help the skin maintain hydration, are also commonly associated with low HGH and high cortisol levels.
What Constitutes Healthy Human Growth Hormone and Cortisol Levels?
For men and women, cortisol levels measuring 10 to 20 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL) in the morning are considered healthy, according to data published by the University of Rochester Medical School. Meanwhile, cortisol levels measuring 3 to 10 mcg/dL in the afternoon are considered healthy. When it comes to growth hormones, between 0.4 and 10 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) constitutes a healthy growth hormone range for men. For women, the range is between 1 and 14 ng/mL.
How To Boost Low Growth Hormone Levels and Lower High Cortisol Levels
For most people, adopting healthy lifestyle habits, such as exercising regularly, consuming a well-balanced diet, and getting at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night, is enough to boost low growth hormone levels and reduce high cortisol levels. Staying hydrated and finding ways to minimize or eliminate chronic stress can also help. For those struggling with exceptionally low growth hormone levels or very high cortisol levels, achieving hormonal balance might also require the use of prescription-based drugs. Some of the medications commonly prescribed to individuals with low growth hormone levels include the following:
- Genotropin
- Humatrope
- Nutropin and Nutropin AQ
- Protropin
- Saizen
- Serostim
- Sogroya
- Zomacton
The type of prescription drugs physicians often prescribe to individuals with prolonged or extremely high cortisol levels is those that control cortisol production at the adrenal gland, such as ketoconazole, osilodrostat, mitotane, levoketoconazole, and metyrapone.
In summary, low human growth hormone and high cortisol can significantly harm an individual’s skin and overall health. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms commonly associated with low growth hormone or high cortisol levels, consider scheduling an appointment with a physician as soon as possible.
