Blog — cortisol

Stress, Cortisol, and the Hormonal Loop of Anxiety When the body perceives danger, the brain activates the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis — an internal alarm that releases cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. For short-term challenges, cortisol is beneficial. It sharpens focus, boosts energy, and prepares muscles for quick action — the classic “fight or flight” response that once ensured survival. When Stress Becomes Chronic Trouble begins when stress never switches off. Prolonged cortisol exposure interferes with healthy brain function, damaging neurons in the hippocampus (responsible for memory) and the prefrontal cortex (which governs decision-making and emotional control). As these areas...

When Hormones Shape the Mind Hormones are powerful chemical messengers that quietly influence not only our bodies but also our thoughts and emotions. While neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine often get the spotlight for controlling mood, science now shows that hormones can have just as much impact on mental well-being. 1. The Emotional Swing of Oestrogen and Progesterone Women often experience emotional changes before menstruation, after childbirth, or during menopause. These phases involve major shifts in oestrogen and progesterone. Before menstruation: Falling oestrogen can lower serotonin, leading to irritability or sadness. After childbirth: A sudden hormone drop can trigger postpartum...

Why a Hormone Profile Is Better Than a Single Test. When men experience hormone-related symptoms (like low libido, fatigue, weight gain, or mood changes), it’s rarely just one hormone causing the issue. A simple testosterone check may miss the bigger picture.

How Neurotransmitter Imbalances Affect Health. When neurotransmitters are out of balance, your brain and body may become over- or under-stimulated. Common scenarios include: Anxiety & Depression, Chronic Fatigue, Impulsivity, Insomnia, PMS & PMDD..

Infertility is an increasingly common issue, affecting over 22% of married women who struggle to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term. While physical causes like anovulation, tubal damage, or endometriosis account for many cases, hormonal imbalances are often overlooked yet highly treatable contributors to infertility. The ZRT Fertility Profile offers a comprehensive and convenient way to evaluate hormone levels that are essential for conception and pregnancy maintenance. By testing markers like FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid hormones, and cortisol, this profile helps identify conditions such as ovarian insufficiency, luteal phase deficiency, PCOS, thyroid dysfunction, and stress-related hormonal disruption. Samples can be collected easily at home through fingerstick blood and saliva on specific days of the menstrual cycle, ensuring accurate and timely results. Early identification of hormonal imbalances empowers women to take corrective action—often through simple lifestyle changes or targeted therapies—before turning to more invasive fertility treatments. Whether you’ve been trying to conceive without success, experienced recurrent miscarriages, or are planning ahead for pregnancy, ZRT’s Fertility Profile provides critical insights to help you and your healthcare provider take proactive steps toward reproductive health and success.