5 Signs Your Stress Hormones Might Be Out of Balance

Is your body’s stress response working against you?

It's not uncommon in the UK to "soldier on" through tiredness, irritability, or brain fog, putting symptoms down to a busy life. Yet, chronic stress could be upsetting your cortisol balance — and affecting your body in ways you might not expect.

What are the warning signs of abnormal cortisol?

• Persistent Fatigue: Feeling drained despite adequate rest.
• Sleep Disturbances: Waking up during the night or not feeling refreshed.
• Unexpected Weight Changes: Particularly increased belly fat.
• Frequent Illness: Weakened immunity leading to more colds.
• High Blood Pressure: Stress hormones contribute to hypertension.

If these sound familiar, they could be more than just bad luck—they may point toward a hormonal imbalance.

What causes cortisol to become unbalanced?

Cortisol imbalance can occur due to chronic stress, lack of sleep, illness, or certain medications. Even dietary habits and long-term emotional strain can make a difference.

Improve your lifestyle, whatever your cortisol levels

• Get regular daylight exposure to reset your sleep-wake cycle
• Choose whole-foods and reduce processed foods for better hormone regulation
• Create a relaxing evening routine (try reading or a bath)

"Understanding your body’s signals is the first step to feeling your best."

How can a home cortisol blood test help?

A Cortisol Home Blood Test Kit from Mayfield Clinic makes it easy to test your hormone levels from home, providing NHS-standard accuracy and results within one day. If needed, follow up with our expert GPs for clinical advice.

Take action with Mayfield Clinic

• Order your kit today
• Book an in-person assessment with our caring team

Make your health a priority and get the answers—and support—you need.