Cortisone Unit Converter

Cortisone is the biologically inactive form of cortisol, the body's main stress hormone. It circulates in the blood and serves as a reservoir that tissues can convert back into active cortisol when needed.

Two enzymes control the conversion between cortisol and cortisone. 11β-HSD2 inactivates cortisol by converting it to cortisone, mainly in the kidneys. 11β-HSD1 does the reverse, regenerating active cortisol from cortisone in the liver, fat tissue, and other organs.

Cortisone makes up roughly 18-20% of the total glucocorticoids in your blood, with cortisol accounting for the rest. Measuring cortisone alongside cortisol provides a window into how well your body regulates glucocorticoid activity at the tissue level.

Cortisone is formed primarily in the kidneys and other peripheral tissues, where the enzyme 11β-HSD2 converts circulating cortisol into its inactive form. The adrenal glands produce cortisol (the precursor), and small amounts of cortisone are also generated in the colon, salivary glands, sweat glands, and placenta.