Cortisol plays an important role in the regulation of many essential physiological processes, including energy metabolism, maintenance of electrolyte balance and blood pressure, immunomodulation and stress responses, cell proliferation as well as cognitive functions.
Elevated serum levels can be found in stress responses, psychiatric diseases, obesity, diabetes, alcoholism and pregnancy, which may cause diagnostic problems in patients with Cushing’s syndrome. Low levels of cortisol are seen in patients with rare adrenal enzyme defects and after long-lasting stress.
