# What is the main way that cortisol is metabolized

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-main-way-that-cortisol-is-metabolized/804716>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 17, 2017, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-main-way-that-cortisol-is-metabolized/804716 "2017-12-17T16:03:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
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**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\
**Post date:** [December 17, 2017, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-main-way-that-cortisol-is-metabolized/804716/1 "2017-12-17T16:03:59Z")

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According to wikipedia the enzymes 11-beta HSD2, 5-alpha reductase and 5-beta reductase all play a role in the metabolism of cortisol.

11-beta HSD2 converts cortisol to cortisone, the other two enzymes convert it into forms of tetrahydrocortisol.

But no mention is made if any is the main pathway, or if all 3 are major pathways. I don’t know if the 11-beta HSD2 converts 90% of cortisol and the other two enzymes only convert 10%, or how much goes in each pathway.

Does anyone know?