What is the purpose of plasma cortisol determination?

summary

Plasma cortisol measurement refers to the measurement of plasma cortisol. Plasma cortisol is a kind of glucocorticoid secreted by zona fasciculata of adrenal cortex. The secretion of plasma cortisol in normal people is regulated by ACTH and has a circadian rhythm. Let's share my experience with you.

What is the purpose of plasma cortisol determination?

In general, the secretion was the least at midnight or around 1 a.m. and the plasma content was the lowest. The secretion began to increase at 4 a.m. and reached the maximum at 6-8 a.m. After 8 o'clock, the secretion gradually decreased, and around 5 o'clock in the afternoon, the secretion decreased by 50% or more than 50% compared with the highest value in the morning.

The cortisol secreted into the blood circulation exists as free type and protein binding type, which is called plasma total cortisol. Protein bound cortisol accounts for more than 90% of the total plasma cortex. It has no biological activity and cannot enter the cells. It is not metabolized when passing through the liver and is not filtered by the glomerulus;

Free cortisol has biological activity, can enter cells, lose activity in liver metabolism, and can enter urine through glomerular filtration. The content of free cortisol in urine is directly proportional to that in plasma. When the level of total cortisol in plasma increased beyond the binding limit of corticosteroid binding globulin, the level of free cortisol in plasma increased, followed by the excretion of free cortisol in urine.

matters needing attention

In daily life, eat more fruits and vegetables, keep optimistic mood, pay attention not to fatigue, pay attention to the recovery of the body, in addition, if there are any symptoms should go to the hospital for examination, and corresponding treatment, these are to actively do.