02/21/2026
When DHEA levels aren’t optimized so will your cortisol levels suffer too.👎🏻
Heres some of the side effects you can experience with unoptimized cortisol levels.
Low cortisol levels (hypocortisolism):
• Extreme fatigue or chronic tiredness — often the most prominent symptom, making everyday activities feel exhausting.
• Muscle weakness — along with reduced strength, aches, or difficulty with physical tasks.
• Unintentional weight loss — frequently accompanied by loss of appetite and sometimes nausea or abdominal pain.
High cortisol levels (hypercortisolism):
• Weight gain, especially in the face (moon face), abdomen, and upper back (with thin arms/legs) — often with a buffalo hump between the shoulders.
• Easy bruising, thin skin, and purple/pink stretch marks — particularly on the abdomen, hips, thighs, or breasts.
• Muscle weakness — especially in the upper arms and thighs, due to muscle breakdown over time.
