Hormones: Cortisol and Corticosteroids in Grand Rapids, MI

Cortisol is a vital hormone made by the two adrenal glands, which sit on top of each kidney. It is essential for life and plays a key role in:

  • Maintaining normal blood pressure
  • Supporting immune function
  • Regulating the body’s anti-inflammatory response
  • Helping the body respond to physical and emotional stress

Inside the brain, the pituitary gland controls how much cortisol the adrenal glands release. When this system is disrupted, Grand Rapids residents may need evaluation by an endocrinologist at local centers such as Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health.

What Are Corticosteroids?

Corticosteroids are synthetic (man‑made) medications that act like cortisol in the body. Healthcare providers in Grand Rapids and across Michigan commonly prescribe corticosteroids to:

  • Reduce inflammation
  • Suppress an overactive immune system
  • Replace missing hormones when the body cannot make enough cortisol

These medications can be life‑saving, but they must be used carefully to avoid serious side effects.

Conditions Treated With Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are used in many common medical conditions seen in West Michigan, including:

Organ Transplant

  • Corticosteroids help prevent the immune system from rejecting a transplanted organ.
  • Patients receiving kidney, liver, or heart transplants at major Grand Rapids hospitals may receive corticosteroids as part of their anti‑rejection regimen.

Addison’s Disease

  • Addison’s disease is an autoimmune disorder where the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones, including cortisol.
  • Cortisone and other corticosteroids are used as replacement therapy to manage Addison’s disease, not to cure it.
  • Endocrinologists in Grand Rapids monitor blood tests and symptoms to adjust doses carefully.

Pituitary Disorders

  • If the pituitary gland is damaged by a tumor, surgery, or other disease, it may not signal the adrenal glands properly.
  • In these cases, lower doses of corticosteroids may be used to replace the missing cortisol.
  • This type of treatment is often managed by specialists at local endocrine and neurology clinics.

Forms of Corticosteroid Treatment

The type of corticosteroid and how it is given depends on the condition being treated. In Grand Rapids, common forms include:

Injections

  • Injected directly into a joint or inflamed area (for example, a knee or shoulder joint).
  • Helps reduce local inflammation while limiting some of the side effects seen with oral medications.

Inhalers

  • Used to treat inflammation in the lungs and airways, especially in asthma and COPD.
  • In West Michigan, where cold, dry winter air and seasonal respiratory infections can worsen asthma, inhaled corticosteroids are commonly prescribed.

Tablets (Oral Steroids)

  • Taken by mouth in short “burst” treatments (for example, for severe asthma flares) or longer courses for chronic inflammatory conditions.
  • Doses vary widely depending on the diagnosis.

Creams and Ointments

  • Applied directly to the skin to treat dermatitis, eczema, and other inflammatory skin conditions.
  • Used frequently in both adults and children in Grand Rapids dermatology and primary care clinics.

Common Side Effects of Corticosteroids

Because cortisol acts on many organs and tissues, cortisol‑like medications can cause a wide range of side effects—especially when used at high doses or for a long time.

Metabolic and Endocrine Side Effects

  • Diabetes or higher blood sugar:

    • Corticosteroids can raise blood glucose levels.
    • This is especially important in Michigan, where diabetes rates are higher than the national average.
    • People with prediabetes or diabetes in Grand Rapids may need closer blood sugar monitoring and medication adjustments.

  • Weight gain:

    • Often seen in the face, abdomen, and upper back.
    • May contribute to high blood pressure and other cardiovascular risks.

Bone Health: Osteoporosis and Fractures

Long‑term corticosteroid use can cause loss of bone density in both men and women, with postmenopausal women at especially high risk.

  • The bones of the spine are particularly vulnerable to fractures.
  • Corticosteroids:
    • Interfere with normal bone cell activity
    • Reduce calcium absorption from the intestine
    • Increase calcium loss from the body

Symptoms of Osteoporosis

  • Loss of height over time
  • Back pain or sudden severe pain from vertebral fractures
  • Stooped posture

Given Michigan’s long winters and reduced sunlight exposure (which can lower vitamin D levels), Grand Rapids residents on corticosteroids may have an even higher risk of osteoporosis and should discuss bone health with their provider.

Managing Side Effects of Corticosteroid Treatment

Never stop corticosteroids suddenly unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Abruptly stopping can be dangerous.

General Strategies (Under Medical Supervision)

  • Use the lowest effective dose:
    • Reduce the daily dose gradually under strict medical supervision.
  • Bone protection:
    • Take vitamin D and calcium supplements if recommended.
    • Consider other medications (such as bisphosphonates) to help protect bone density.
    • Engage in weight‑bearing exercise (walking, light jogging, resistance training) to maintain bone strength.
  • Infection precautions:
    • Corticosteroids suppress the immune system, increasing infection risk.
    • Seek immediate medical attention for fever, chills, or any signs of infection.

Local resources such as the Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health can provide vaccination guidance and infection prevention information, especially during flu season and winter months.

Cortisol Insufficiency After Long‑Term Steroid Use

Long periods of high‑dose corticosteroid therapy can suppress the body’s own cortisol production by the adrenal glands. When the dose is reduced too quickly or stopped suddenly, cortisol insufficiency (adrenal insufficiency) can occur.

Symptoms of Cortisol Insufficiency

  • Low blood pressure, especially when standing up (orthostatic hypotension)
  • Extreme fatigue and weakness
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Low blood sugar
  • In severe cases: shock or coma (medical emergency)

Anyone in Grand Rapids who has been on long‑term steroids and develops these symptoms should seek urgent care at a local emergency department (Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health) or call 911.

High Cortisol Levels: Cushing’s Syndrome

Cushing’s syndrome (also called hypercortisolism) is a condition caused by chronically high levels of cortisol.

Causes

  • Long‑term high‑dose oral corticosteroids for conditions such as:
    • Asthma
    • Lupus
    • Rheumatoid arthritis
    • Certain inflammatory bowel diseases (like ulcerative colitis)
  • Tumors:
    • Pituitary tumors (Cushing’s disease)
    • Adrenal gland tumors
    • Tumors in other parts of the body that produce cortisol‑like hormones

In these cases, the body itself is making too much cortisol, or the medication dose is too high.

Symptoms of Cushing’s Syndrome

  • Weight gain in the face (“moon face”) and upper body
  • Fatty hump between the shoulders
  • Thinning of the arms and legs
  • Abdominal weight gain
  • High blood pressure
  • Skin changes:
    • Thin, fragile skin
    • Easy bruising
    • Slow‑healing cuts or ulcers
  • Mood swings, irritability, or depression
  • Weakened bones and osteoporosis
  • Increased risk of fractures

If you notice several of these symptoms while taking corticosteroids, contact your Grand Rapids healthcare provider or an endocrinologist for evaluation.

When to Seek Help in Grand Rapids, MI

Contact a healthcare professional promptly if you:

  • Are on corticosteroids and develop signs of infection (fever, chills, feeling very unwell)
  • Notice rapid weight gain in the face and trunk, easy bruising, or mood changes
  • Experience dizziness or fainting when standing, severe fatigue, or vomiting after reducing steroid doses
  • Have back pain, loss of height, or suspect a fracture

Local Resources

  • Primary Care Provider or Family Doctor – first point of contact for most concerns
  • Endocrinology Clinics at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health – for hormone and adrenal/pituitary disorders
  • Kent County Health Department & Grand Rapids Public Health – for immunizations, infection prevention, and chronic disease support
  • Emergency Departments in Grand Rapids – for severe symptoms such as shock, confusion, or trouble breathing

Key Points About Cortisol and Corticosteroids

  • Cortisol is a hormone made by the two adrenal glands and is essential for life.
  • Cortisol helps maintain blood pressure, immune function, and the body’s anti‑inflammatory processes.
  • Corticosteroids are synthetic medications that act like cortisol and are used to treat many inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, and to prevent organ rejection.
  • Common side effects of long‑term or high‑dose corticosteroid use include:
    • Diabetes or elevated blood sugar
    • Weight gain and high blood pressure
    • Loss of bone density (osteoporosis), especially in postmenopausal women
  • Symptoms of osteoporosis can include loss of height and increased risk of fractures.
  • Never stop corticosteroids suddenly; always follow your Grand Rapids healthcare provider’s instructions for tapering and monitoring.

If you live in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area and have questions about your hormone health or corticosteroid treatment, schedule an appointment with your local primary care provider or an endocrinologist to review your medications and overall risk factors.