Adrenal fatigue is a term for when the adrenal glands are overworked and unable to produce adequate levels of cortisol and other hormones. This can leave people feeling exhausted despite getting enough rest.
The adrenals are walnut-sized glands above the kidneys that release over 50 hormones, including cortisol which helps regulate metabolism and the body's response to stress. When overworked for a long time, such as due to chronic stress or illness, the adrenals can become fatigued.
Symptoms of adrenal fatigue may include:
If this sounds familiar, getting tested for adrenal fatigue could provide answers. Renewal Hormone Clinic offers advanced saliva testing to check adrenal hormone levels. Their naturopaths can provide personalized treatment plans involving nutrition changes, herbs, supplements, and lifestyle adjustments to nourish stressed adrenals back to health.
What causes adrenal fatigue?
The main cause is persistent emotional or physical stress. This could come from workplace demands, financial pressures, chronic illnesses, infections, poor diet, lack of sleep, relationship issues, or other ongoing stresses.
Over time, the adrenals have to keep producing higher than normal levels of cortisol to cope with the stresses. This depletes them.
Factors that can contribute to adrenal fatigue include:
How is adrenal fatigue diagnosed?
Because signs of adrenal fatigue overlap with other conditions, diagnosis should involve:
At Renewal Hormone Clinic, they test cortisol and DHEA hormones at four different times throughout the day. This adrenal stress profile shows if production is impaired. Targeted treatment can then work to regenerate adrenal gland function.
I hope this overview on adrenal fatigue helps explain what to watch for and where to get help if needed. Let me know if you have any other questions! Renewal Hormone Clinic's team of naturopaths are adrenal fatigue specialists always happy to advise.