Cortisol/Cortisone
Part of Advanced Dried Urine Hormone Profile, NutriPATH

Cortisol is a steroid hormone synthesized from cholesterol by a multienzyme cascade in the adrenal glands. It is the main glucocorticoid in humans and acts as a gene transcription factor influencing a multitude of cellular responses in virtually all tissues. Cortisol plays a critical role in glucose metabolism, maintenance of vascular tone, immune response regulation, and in the body's response to stress. Its production is under hypothalamic-pituitary feedback control. Cortisone, a downstream metabolite of cortisol, provides an additional variable to assist in the diagnosis of various adrenal disorders, including abnormalities of 11-beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase (11-beta HSD), the enzyme that converts cortisol to cortisone. Deficiency of 11-beta HSD results in a state of mineralocorticoid excess because cortisol (but not cortisone) acts as a mineralocorticoid receptor agonist. Licorice (active component glycyrrhetinic acid) inhibits 11-beta HSD and excess consumption can result in similar changes.

Optimal range 0.5 – 0.7 Ratio Learn more
Cortisol/DHEAS Ratio CAR
Saliva
Part of Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR), NutriPATH

The Cortisol/DHEA-Sulfate (DHEAS) Ratio in the context of the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) represents a crucial biomarker in psychoneuroendocrinology, providing valuable insights into the dynamic interplay between the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and adrenal steroidogenesis under conditions of stress and physiological arousal. Cortisol, a glucocorticoid hormone, plays a pivotal role in the body's response to stress, influencing various physiological processes, including metabolism, immune function, and circadian rhythm regulation. DHEAS, an adrenal androgen, serves as a counter-regulatory hormone, often associated with anabolic functions and resilience against stress. The CAR, characterized by a marked increase in cortisol levels within the first 30 to 45 minutes after awakening, reflects the responsiveness of the HPA axis to the transition from sleep to wakefulness, and is considered a sensitive marker for HPA axis function. The Cortisol/DHEAS ratio, particularly when measured in the context of CAR, offers a nuanced view of the balance between catabolic and anabolic hormonal activities, indicative of the body's adaptive capacity to handle stress. Elevated Cortisol/DHEAS ratios may signal an overactivation of the HPA axis, potentially leading to various health implications, including chronic stress, immune dysfunction, and metabolic disturbances. Conversely, lower ratios may suggest inadequate stress response, which can also have detrimental effects on health and well-being. Thus, the Cortisol/DHEAS ratio in the context of CAR not only elucidates the physiological mechanisms underpinning stress and adaptation but also serves as a potential diagnostic tool for identifying individuals at risk of stress-related disorders. Furthermore, this ratio has implications for understanding the pathophysiology of diseases characterized by dysregulation of the HPA axis, offering pathways for targeted interventions aimed at restoring hormonal balance and promoting health.

Optimal range 4 – 6 Ratio Learn more
Cortisone (E)
Urine
Part of Balance Hormone Profile (Dried Urine), Meridian Valley Lab

Cortisone (also noted as E in laboratory reports) is an inactive metabolite of cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone. It is produced in the adrenal glands and serves as part of the body’s natural stress response system. In the body, cortisone and cortisol are interconvertible—an enzyme system (11b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase types 1 and 2) constantly transforms cortisone into cortisol and vice versa, depending on the body’s needs. By measuring urinary cortisone as part of the DU Balance Hormone Profile, clinicians can evaluate adrenal gland activity, stress response balance, and cortisol metabolism over time.

Optimal range 39 – 143 ug/g Creatinine Learn more