Hormone Health Hub: Expert Insights on Testing, Balance & Better Living — adrenal cortex function

Cortisol is your body’s primary stress hormone, produced by the adrenal glands in response to physical, mental and emotional stress. While it plays a vital role in energy metabolism, immune function and cardiovascular health, both chronically high and chronically low cortisol levels can cause significant health problems — from fatigue, weight gain and sleep disorders to burnout and adrenal exhaustion. This article explains what cortisol is, what happens when it goes wrong, and why regular testing matters.

Norepinephrine and epinephrine follow a distinct diurnal rhythm — rising through the morning, peaking in the afternoon, and falling at night. When this pattern is disrupted by chronic stress, the consequences ripple through every hormonal system in the body. Learn how the stress response works and how dried urine testing can reveal imbalances.