Checking cortisol and insulin levels after 40 years: what is important to know and what factors affect the outcome

With age, disorders of carbohydrate and hormonal metabolism appear brighter, leading to weight gain and evening attacks of hunger. About how to correctly check the level of insulin and cortisol after 40 years, told the Russian dietitian Daria Rusakova, writes sb.by.

According to the specialist, tests for insulin and cortisol are usually taken in the morning on an empty stomach. Insulin, glucose and glycated hemoglobin can be tested in one day to assess carbohydrate metabolism.

- At the same time, if the patient has any deviations, the endocrinologist can prescribe repeated studies of cortisol, added Daria Rusakova.

The doctor noticed that the level of cortisol is sensitive to external factors: the result can affect physical activity, the time of the last meal and the quality of sleep. Therefore, such an analysis should be taken on the recommendation of a doctor, and the results should be interpreted exclusively by a specialist.

- Increased craving for food and the accumulation of fat in the abdomen primarily indicate a high level of insulin and impaired glucose tolerance. However, the reason is also an unbalanced diet: for example, if a person eats little during the day, by the evening it becomes more difficult to control appetite and desire to eat sweets. Therefore, it is important to assess eating habits and start checking with carbohydrate metabolism indicators, said Daria Rusakova.

Stress, sleep, nutrition: when excess belly fat is caused by cortisol and what symptoms require a doctor's consultation