You may bruise easily and find pink or purple stretch marks on your belly 'Buffalo hump' (fat bulge between the shoulders).Some people may only have a few signs while others show greater changes. This feedback system acts like a thermostat to balance cortisol levels. The pituitary detects when cortisol levels are high enough, then it stops sending signals. The pituitary gland signal is called corticotropin or adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). CRH tells the pituitary gland to release signals that control how much cortisol the adrenal glands make. The hypothalamus of the brain makes the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). Problems in the cortex or the medulla, then, can result in high blood pressure.Ĭortisol levels are controlled by the pituitary gland, which is found at the base of the brain. They cause a faster heart rate and boost other systems that help you to react quickly with a burst of energy when needed. They also help the body react to stress and change. For example, they help regulate fluid and salt levels in the body that affect blood volume and blood pressure. Illustration of the Adrenal Glands Enlarge
