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Stress Profile*
The Stress Profile monitors hormones elevated during times
of physical and psychological stress and assesses sympathetic
nervous activity.
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Reasons
to take this test:
Stress, Fatigue, Exhaustion, High Blood Pressure, Elevated Blood
Sugar, Osteoporosis, Athletic Plateaus
Overview
The Stress Profile monitors hormones elevated during times of
physical and psychological stress and assesses sympathetic nervous
activity.
Stress in humans has a significant effect on the sympathetic nervous
system activity. The nervous system hormones Epinephrine (EPI)
and Norepinephrine (NE) control this activity. These neurohormones
maintain the body's homeostasis during acute and chronic stress
through an orchestration of cardiovascular, metabolic, and digestive
activities. Cortisol, produced by the adrenal glands, regulates
blood sugar metabolism and accelerates the breakdown of proteins
during stress.
Epinephrine (EPI) and Norepinephrine (NE)
The adrenal medulla regulates the release of EPI and NE. The ratio
of EPI to NE depends on the magnitude and type of stimulus that
initiates their release. Physical stress preferentially increases
NE, and psychological stress increases EPI. Measuring the levels
and ratio of these neurohormones in morning urine provides an assessment
of the source of stress your body's adaptation to daily stressors.
Cortisol
Cortisol is a catabolic hormone, that is a hormone that breaks
down complex molecules into simple elements. Cortisol also affects
the immune system, blood pressure and sleep. When your body feels
stress, cortisol is released. Cortisol raises and maintains your
blood sugar and hence your energy levels as needed to assist your
body during stressful periods. Cortisol is also produced by the
body to reduce inflammation.
Normal Cortisol levels rapidly increase during early morning hours
helping you awaken. Cortisol levels then gradually decrease throughout
the day. The morning peak is diminished by chronic stress and burnout,
leading to difficulty waking and fatigue. Excessive or prolonged
stress can cause excessive and prolonged release of Cortisol, resulting
in elevated blood sugar levels, muscle wasting, immune suppression
and loss of calcium from bone.
Summary
Epinephrine, Norepinephrine and Cortisol are biomarkers used to
assess the physical and psychological management of stress. Evaluation
of these stress biomarkers can help identify individuals who need
to make changes to prevent the fatigue, risk of illness, insomnia,
depression, hypertension, and long term complications of chronic
stress. Normal levels and ratios in individuals in high stress
situations indicate adequate coping skills and lifestyle adaptation.
Athletic over-training significantly decreases Epinephrine (EPI)
and Norepinephrine (NE) production and reduces the NE:EPI ratio.
References
- Piercecchi-Marti MD, Leonetti G, Pelissier AL, Conrath J, Cianfarani
F, Valli M. Evaluation of biological stress markers in police officers.
Med Law 1999;18(1):125-44
- Sluiter
JK, van der Beek AJ, Frings-Dresen MH. Work stress and recovery
measured by urinary catecholamines and cortisol
excretion
in long distance coach drivers. Occup Environ Med 1998
Jun;55(6):407-13
- Sasaki
T, Iwasaki K, Oka T, Hisanaga N, Ueda T, Takada Y, Fujiki Y.
Effect of working hours on cardiovascular-autonomic
nervous
functions in engineers in an electronics manufacturing
company. Ind Health 1999 Jan;37(1):55-61
- Lehmann
M, Foster C, Dickhuth HH, Gastmann U. Autonomic imbalance hypothesis
and overtraining syndrome. Med Sci
Sports Exerc 1998
Jul;30(7):1140-5
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