HIGH CORTISOL LEVELS?

[LionChild]

I am questioning whether what I assumed was the Dawn Phenomenon is in fact a high rise of CORTISOL overnight and in the mornings? I am exploring this possibility because I have also developed what I read is called a 'cortisol belly'. At first I just thought my general putting on weight was a case of the fat storage aspect of insulin, but I am now wondering if the problem is more to do with high cortisol levels because I am also suffering from quite serious insomnia whereby I often only get about 3 hours sleep each night. The advice is to exercise more, cut down on anything that contains caffeine, and all the general advice regarding 'sleep hygiene' but even doing that does not seem to help. I have always had very high anxiety levels and serious mental health challenges. I am going to ask my GP if I can have my cortisol levels tested. Has anyone else had any experience of these symptoms and what was the outcome of any medical or other interventions?

 

[Juicyj]

Hi @LionChild I am a woman of a certain age so peri and experiencing belly weight gain despite running and gym, I am doing lots of core exercise too but also believe it's down to high cortisol, no DP here, sleep quality is fine, and have virtually cut out alcohol, I haven't found any way to counter it so far so would be interested to follow your thread.