What is the gold standard for high cortisol testing? 24-hour urine seems too "hit or miss."
Cortisol is a stress hormone in your body and is secreted by the adrenal glands. Cortisol is responsible for helping your body use sugar and fat for energy.
A cortisol test is done to measure how much is in your blood and to see if there's an issue with your pituitary or adrenal glands.
Even though the most common test that doctors use is a urine test (because it regulates your cortisol levels throughout the entire day), you can also get a blood test done.
How can I break my sugar addiction?
There's no denying the sugar issues society faces. In fact, many researchers have shown that sugar can be just as addicting as cocaine.
Kicking your sugar habit can be extremely difficult, especially if you're used to eating it on a daily basis. Added sugar can also be found in almost every food (not only baked goods). However, beating your sugar cravings can be accomplished.
There are several things you can do in order to help. You might first want to ease yourself off of sugar by consuming less and less each day. This can help ease your withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
What are symptoms of an eating disorder?
According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, it's estimated that eating disorders affect over 11 million people in the U.S. Studies have shown that at least one in 20 individuals (one in 10 teenage girls) have displayed key symptoms of anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder, but never address the disorder because they don't fully meet the diagnostic criteria.
Depending on the eating disorder, the symptoms can vary. For example if you have anorexia, the symptoms include excessively limiting the amount of food you eat, or using other methods to lose weight such as laxatives, diet pills, and vomiting after eating. Bulimia nervosa symptoms include eating large amounts of food in a short period of time, but because of guilt or shame, you may force yourself to vomit, exercise too much, or use other methods to restrict or get rid of calories.
If you have a personal health question you want answered, Pam and Michelle encourage you to send them in to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .