The adrenal glucocorticoid that regulates the stress response, metabolism, and daily rhythms.
Also known as: stress hormone
Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands and follows a daily (diurnal) rhythm, typically highest in the morning. It influences blood sugar, blood pressure, and the stress response.
Cortisol is sometimes measured when symptoms suggest an adrenal disorder; a single reading is interpreted alongside the time of day it was drawn.