501 citations
,
October 2008 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology” Hair cortisol levels can show increased stress during late pregnancy but only for up to six months.
237 citations
,
September 2018 in “Clinical Biochemistry” Hair cortisol analysis can help diagnose stress-related conditions but needs more refinement for widespread use.
81 citations
,
July 2008 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Certain mutations in the H6PD gene cause Cortisone Reductase Deficiency by affecting hormone production.
50 citations
,
July 2018 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology” Hair cortisol can indicate long-term stress levels, but hair growth rate differences may affect accuracy.
41 citations
,
January 2000 in “Hormone Research in Paediatrics” Cortisone reductase deficiency can cause high androgen and cortisol levels and may be missed in women with similar symptoms.
33 citations
,
January 2017 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology” Hair dyeing and washing frequency do not affect hair cortisol levels.
30 citations
,
July 2023 in “Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CCLM)” Cortisone in hair is a more reliable indicator of stress hormone exposure than cortisol.
24 citations
,
April 2008 in “Fertility and sterility” Pioglitazone improved insulin sensitivity and altered cortisol metabolism in PCOS patients.
22 citations
,
January 2010 in “Clinical Medicine Insights Endocrinology and Diabetes” Forearm hair has more cortisol than lower leg hair.
21 citations
,
January 2020 in “Conservation Physiology” Hair follicles increase hair cortisol levels, so consistent hair collection methods are important.
17 citations
,
December 1951 in “Experimental biology and medicine” Vitamin B12 and aureomycin can reverse or reduce cortisone's negative effects on body and hair growth in rats.
16 citations
,
March 2013 in “Clinica Chimica Acta” Cortisol and cortisone release from hair increases in steps over time during incubation.
16 citations
,
August 2007 in “Histopathology” A woman's rare adrenal tumor caused high testosterone and cortisol levels, which normalized after the tumor was removed.
12 citations
,
December 1951 in “Experimental Biology and Medicine” Liver in the diet reduces cortisone acetate toxicity effects in rats.
11 citations
,
May 2020 in “Frontiers in psychiatry” Child abuse is linked to higher BMI, but not because of hair cortisol or cortisone levels.
9 citations
,
February 2020 in “Stress” Children with lower inhibitory control experience more stress when starting third grade.
2 citations
,
June 2021 in “Medicine” High levels of cortisol in hair are linked to a greater risk of brain aneurysm rupture.
November 2025 in “Contraception” COC use doesn't increase hair stress hormone levels, but hair treatments may affect results.
September 2024 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology” Ectoin helps prevent cortisone-induced skin problems and supports skin health.
September 2024 in “Toxicology Letters” Cortisone and cortisol levels in pregnant women’s hair increase as labor approaches, indicating higher stress.
January 2024 in “Case Reports in Endocrinology” Cortisone tapering may help improve severe myasthenia gravis and alopecia areata after thymectomy.
December 2025 in “Biology Bulletin Reviews” Hair cortisol can indicate animal stress but varies with many factors.
November 2025 in “Journal of Laboratory Medicine” Chronic stress increased after lockdown, especially in young adults and females.
June 2022 in “Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences” Higher testosterone harms sperm motility, while higher estradiol improves sperm survival.
May 2021 in “Journal of the Endocrine Society” A patient produced cortisol after adrenalectomy, possibly due to residual tissue or other body parts making steroids.
June 2020 in “Authorea (Authorea)” First-time mothers had higher stress hormone levels in late pregnancy than mothers who had given birth before.
August 2019 in “Journal of archaeological science: Reports/Journal of archaeological science: reports” Ancient hair can preserve hormones, revealing health and fertility insights.
May 2016 in “Endocrine Abstracts” Proximal hair cortisol is a reliable tool for diagnosing Cushing's Syndrome.
567 citations
,
October 2007 in “Clinical and investigative medicine” Hair cortisol can be used to measure long-term stress exposure.
489 citations
,
June 2005 in “The FASEB Journal” Human hair follicles can produce cortisol like the body's stress response system.