Slightly High Cortisol

Slightly high blood cortisol (a stress hormone) can cause weight gain, diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, pcos, and more importantly cardiovascular disease.

There is a simple and effective blood test that identifies patients with slight cortisol elevation. The test, which is usually covered by insurance, involves a two-step process:

#1 The patient receives a 1 mg oral dexamethasone pill precisely at 11 pm (any day of the week). A prescription needs to be provided.

#2 Then the patient does blood work (cortisol) the very next day between 7-8 AM. The test is positive if morning blood cortisol is >1.8.

If you have any of the following conditions, you could qualify for the above test.

Difficult to control type 2 diabetes:
- Using 3 or more medications for type 2 diabetes.
- Using high doses of insulin for type 2 diabetes (“severe insulin resistance” state).
Using 3 or more medications (including a diuretic) to control high blood pressure.
Adrenal tumors or masses.
History or diagnosis of PCOS
Unexplained osteoporosis or bone fractures.
Unexplained rapid weight gain. Example, 30 lbs in 3 months.
Unexplained muscle wasting/weakness/loss.
Unexplained blood clots such as DVT and PE.