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The Master Hormone That Could Be Making Everything Feel Off

Jul 15, 2025
I used to think I was doing everything right. 
 
Working 60+ hour weeks.
 
Spending two hours a day at the gym.
 
Eating “clean” — but barely 800–1200 calories a day.
 
On the outside, it might’ve looked like discipline. But inside, I was in survival mode.
 
I was running on empty, chasing the perfect body, the perfect job performance, the perfect life, while slowly breaking down my health.
 
What I didn’t realize was that the stress I was under — mentally, physically, and emotionally — was driving my cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, into dangerous territory. And when cortisol is dysregulated for too long, it doesn’t just cause burnout. It begins to pull other hormones out of balance, too.
 
In my case, it triggered hypothyroidism.
When I was diagnosed in 2013, I was shocked — but deep down, I wasn’t surprised. My body had been whispering for years. 
 
I just didn’t know how to listen.
 
Once I learned that chronic stress and high cortisol levels can drive non-autoimmune hypothyroidism, everything clicked. I tested my levels, and they were three times higher than normal. That’s when I began the real work of healing, rather than just treating symptoms. Getting to the root.
 
So What Exactly Throws Cortisol Out of Whack
  • Overexercising and undereating
  • Mental and emotional stress (especially when you feel like you’re never “off”)
  • Poor sleep and erratic blood sugar
  • Nutrient depletion and inflammation
  • Pushing through instead of slowing down
Symptoms of Cortisol Imbalance
 
High Cortisol
Anxiety, wired but tired
Belly weight gain
Sugar and salt cravings
Insomnia or early waking
Hormonal swings
Irregular cycles or missing periods
 
Low Cortisol
Fatigue that doesn’t lift
Morning grogginess
Dizziness when standing
Low mood, low motivation
Low blood pressure
Feeling “crashed” mid-morning or late afternoon
 
Best Way to Test:
The Adrenal Stress Index (ASI) is my go-to tool for use in my practice with clients. It measures your cortisol rhythm throughout the day so we can see exactly where things are going wrong — and how to support your body back into balance.
 
How to Start Regulating Cortisol Naturally
These may sound simple, but when done consistently, they are powerful:
☀️ Morning sunlight within 30 minutes of waking
🚶‍♀️ Gentle movement daily — think walks, stretching, or low-impact strength
🍳 Blood sugar–balancing meals with protein, fiber, and healthy fats
🧘🏻‍♀️ Mindfulness or meditation — even just 5 minutes a day
🛏 Sleep hygiene: wind down, unplug, and honor your circadian rhythm
 
Want to Go Deeper?
If this sounds like you, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to guess your way through it.
 
➡️ Explore my Adrenal Health Mini Course — it breaks down everything you need to know about cortisol, burnout, and how to support your adrenals through real food, real rest, and nervous system repair.
 
➡️ Or Book a 1:1 Lab Review with me, where I’ll walk you through your adrenal and hormone labs and create a personalized protocol with the exact supplements, lifestyle changes, and nutrition tools you need to feel good in your body again.
 
Your body wants to heal. It just needs you to stop pushing and start listening.
 
I’m here to guide you every step of the way.