What is a glucocorticoid?

Glucocorticoid is a type of steroid hormone that is produced in the adrenal cortex: cortisol is probably the most famous and common example of glucocorticoid. These hormones have a number of important functions in the body and can also be administered in synthetic form to treat specific health conditions. Excessive glucocorticoid levels result in a condition called hyperadrenocorticism, while low levels are known as hypoadrenocorticism. Both conditions require medical care because they can lead to serious health problems, including permanent damage or death. When these hormones were first discovered, scientists first recorded their role in glucose metabolism, and later realized that glucocorticoid could also be involved in the metabolism of other substances in the body. Glucocorticoids also play a role in fetal development and in response of the body to inflammation. This is when glucocorticoids get into the game when they get to the site of inflammation and break down excessive cells of the immune system to stop inflammationIl. Therefore, glucocorticoids are often prescribed by people suffering from inflammation.

When people think of "steroids", they often visualize anabolic steroids that have caused such controversy in the athletic community. Glucocorticoids are actually catabolic steroids, which means they are designed to break things rather than building. Glucocorticoids can be distinguished from other types of steroid hormones because they attach to the glucocorticoid receptor, structures found in almost all cells that allow glucocorticoid to directly interact with the cell in any body area.

excess glucocorticoids may occur when the adrenal gland is excessively produced, or when someone is taking too many prescription drugs. Low levels may occur when someone fights infection or inflammation. Changed levels of glucocorticoids in the body can cause different symptoms because the level change causes ZMate of metabolism. If the levels are too low, they can be solved by administering drugs for drugs, while high levels may require patient drugs or other medical interventions to deal with excessively active adrenal gland.