Stressed Out? Is it Adrenal Fatigue?

Adrenal fatigue is a form of adrenal dysfunction that emerges when the body's response to stress exceeds its recovery capacity, leading to compromised adrenal, thyroid, pituitary, and hypothalamic functions. This stage of dysfunction, often associated with persistent stress, can present symptoms such as mood changes, cognitive dysfunction, insomnia, and orthostatic hypotension. Biochemical assessments of cortisol, DHEA/DHEA-S, ACTH, and aldosterone, along with the cortisol:DHEA-S ratio and the sodium:potassium ratio, can be useful for evaluating adrenal status.

Adrenal fatigue should not be mistaken for adrenal insufficiency, a more severe condition associated with a primary failure of the adrenal gland to produce cortisol and aldosterone, leading to symptoms like weight loss, fatigue, anorexia, and depression. The stress response in adrenal fatigue can progress through three stages: arousal, adaptation, and exhaustion. Each stage is characterized by specific changes in cortisol and DHEA levels, eventually leading to adrenal hypofunction with low cortisol and low DHEA levels, coupled with symptoms like fatigue, moodiness, weight gain, insomnia, and anxiety.

Various methods for assessing adrenal dysfunction include measuring plasma cortisol, the ACTH stimulation test, DHEA-S levels, the cortisol:DHEA-S ratio, and the sodium:potassium ratio. Adrenal dysfunction is also associated with altered levels of aldosterone and ACTH. Once identified, adrenal fatigue can be managed through lifestyle modifications, balanced nutrition, physical activity, stress management, and appropriate supplementation with essential micronutrients and certain botanicals.

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