Adrenal fatigue refers to a collection of nonspecific symptoms such as body aches, fatigue, nervousness, sleep disturbances, and digestive issues. It is thought to occur when the adrenal glands become overtaxed and unable to produce adequate levels of hormones like cortisol to meet the body's needs.
The adrenal glands produce over 50 different hormones that regulate a variety of essential functions. When functioning properly, the HPA axis allows the adrenals to respond to situational stressors. However, chronic stress from mental, emotional or physical sources may overwhelm the capacity of the adrenals over time.
Some key signs and symptoms of adrenal fatigue may include:
At Optimal Health Hormone Clinic, we utilize cutting-edge saliva testing to check key hormones like cortisol and DHEA. This allows us to accurately diagnose adrenal fatigue based on your diurnal cortisol levels and other biomarkers.
If adrenal dysfunction is found, we create fully customized treatment plans that may include adrenal glandular supplements to nourish stressed tissues along with adaptogenic herbs and nutrients to support healthy cortisol rhythms. Lifestyle changes like stress reduction, improved sleep hygiene, and strategic carbohydrate intake are also important.
With this comprehensive approach we’ve helped hundreds recover their energy, mental clarity and resilience. Our patient satisfaction rates speak for themselves!
While not yet a validated diagnosis in the medical community, many integrative and functional medicine practitioners recognize the broad collection of low cortisol symptoms their patients complain of.
Supporting overworked adrenal glands often leads to transformative improvements in energy, endurance, mental focus and ability to handle daily and situational stressors.
If you resonate with adrenal fatigue symptoms, consider getting your major hormones including cortisol, DHEA and melatonin tested. This will provide objective data to guide appropriate treatment approaches. Meet with an integrative or functional medicine practitioner to explore options from stress management techniques to glandulars, herbs and targeted nutrient therapies.