Cortisol

What kind of hormone is cortisol?

1. Glucocorticoid

2. Steroid hormone

How quickly does cortisol work?

Not quickly, but effects are long lasting

Can cortisol cross the plasma membrane?

Yes

How is cortisol produced?

On demand

What are three effects of cortisol?

1. Anti-inflammatory

2. Raises blood glucose

3. Immune suppression

What are two signals for cortisol release?

1. Low glucose

2. Stress

When is cortisol the highest? When is it the lowest?

1. Highest in AM

2. Lowest in PM

What is a sensitive test for the overproduction of cortisol?

24-hour urine

What are four symptoms of hypercortisolemia?

1. Cushinoid appearance

2. Poor wound healing

3. Hyperglycemia

4. Muscle weakness

What is the normal amount of cortisol produced in 24 hours in urine?

< 50 ug / day

What is the principle of dexamethazone suppression test?

If hypercortisolemia is present, cortisol will resist suppression

How is the level of ACTH affected in ACTH-dependent hypercortisolemia? What about ACTH-independent hypercortisolemia?

1. Dependent: increased

2. Independent: decreased

Random and fasting glucose

70-179 mg/dL

BUN

9-23 mg/dL

Male creatinine

0.73 - 1.18 mg/dL

Female creatinine

0.55 - 1.02 mg/dL

Sodium

135-145 mmol/L

Potassium

3.5-5.1 mmol/L

Chloride

98-107 mmol/L

pH

7.35-7.45

pCO2

35-45 mmHg

pO2

80-110 mmHg

Critical glucose

< 54 or > 400 mg/dL

Critical potassium

< 2.7 or > 6

Critical Sodium

< 120 or > 155

Critical calcium

< 6 or > 155