If one is to believe every "health warning" posted on social media, we'd all be suffering from 'moon face' or, as it's more scientifically called, high cortisol levels. Well, surprise, surprise, it's time to clear up the confusion. Truth is, cortisol is not just the big bad stress hormone it's made out to be. It's a vital steroid hormone that dances to the beat of stress, regulating our bodies accordingly.

Want the true dish on cortisol? It's a huge team player in our bodies, helping to manage inflammation. It's the friend you can rely on when you're attacked by bacteria or viruses, according to Jeannette M. Bennett, PhD, a heavy hitter in psychological science at UNC Charlotte. "It's the bouncer for the immune system," is one quirky way to put.

But don’t be fooled, this guy isn’t just a one trick pony. Cortisol has got its hands on many levers – metabolism, blood pressure, blood sugar, and sleep cycles are just a few.

A surge of cortisol could be the lifesaver you need if you're being chased by a bear (or racing a deadline). Think of it as your in-built emergency response system, serving up the energy hit you need to fight or flee stressful situations.

But like anything else, too much or too little of a thing can lead to trouble. Imbalances in cortisol levels are linked to conditions like Cushing's syndrome and Addison's disease, not forgetting secondary adrenal insufficiency. So what are the telltale signs that you're dealing with a cortisol imbalance?

Do sleepless nights burden you? Or sudden weight changes? Maybe it’s uncontrollable cravings for sugary sweets or fatty snacks that's got you concerned. Elevated cortisol levels may manifest in these ways, among others. High blood pressure, high blood sugar, and weak bones can be checked by your doctor.

But pinning your grievances on cortisol isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Remember, a barrage of stressors can tip your cortisol levels into overdrive, be it chronic stress, alcohol abuse, depression, anxiety, or something more medically serious like Cushing's syndrome.

There's no easy swab or spit test you can buy at the pharmacy to check your cortisol levels, so leave the cortisol diagnosis to the pros. Check with your primary care provider, or better yet, an endocrinologist who is more versed in this field.

What constitutes a 'healthy' cortisol level isn't straightforward. It fluctuates during the day, peaking in the morning and tapering by nighttime. So what's min or max for your cortisol level? Your doctor will help you talk through your test results and make sense of what's normal for you.

Can we draw a final line under this cortisol chapter? Cortisol, much like stress, isn't inherently bad. But if your cortisol levels seem to be out of whack, resulting in symptoms like headaches, fatigue, drastic diet changes, weight gain, mood changes, insomnia, or more, it's worthwhile getting checked out. Remember, it’s not about all the social media fuss over ‘moon faces’ but about taking care of the fantastic machinery that is your body.