Adrenal fatigue

What is adrenal fatigue?

Adrenal fatigue is a term used to describe a collection of non-specific 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 many essential hormones that help regulate metabolism, immune function, blood pressure, stress response and other processes in the body. Cortisol is one of the main hormones made by the adrenal glands. It has many important functions, including:

• Regulating metabolism and blood sugar levels


• Reducing inflammation


• Assisting with memory formulation


• Controlling salt and water balance


• Supporting the immune system


• Helping the body respond to stress

Over time, constant or excessive stress can overwork and "exhaust" the adrenal glands, potentially leading to adrenal fatigue symptoms. However, adrenal fatigue is not an established medical diagnosis. Some healthcare providers don't believe adrenal fatigue exists as a distinct disorder.

Signs and Symptoms

People with adrenal fatigue often have nonspecific complaints such as:

• Fatigue and feeling "wired but tired"


• Body aches, especially in the morning


• Cravings for salty and sweet foods


• Difficulty concentrating, brain fog


• Low stamina, reduced ability to handle stress


• Anxiety, irritability, depression


• Sleep disturbances - falling asleep or staying asleep


• Digestive issues like reflux, bloating, constipation

The symptoms may wax and wane but tend to worsen during times of stress.

If you suspect adrenal fatigue, the doctors at Hormone Harmony can help diagnose potential causes through lab testing of hormone levels and medical history analysis. Customized treatment plans involving lifestyle changes like stress reduction, improved diet, targeted supplementation and bioidentical hormone therapy may help support adrenal gland recovery.

What Causes Adrenal Fatigue?

There are a few theorized causes of adrenal fatigue:

• Chronic stress - Physical, emotional or psychological stress overworks the adrenal glands.


• Poor diet - Nutrient deficiencies can impair adrenal function. Diets high in sugar and refined carbs tax the system.


• Infections - Bacterial, viral and fungal infections strain the adrenals.


• Hormone dysregulation - Other hormonal imbalances can disrupt adrenal hormone production.

Certain lifestyle factors and medical conditions may also contribute, like sleep deprivation, chronic inflammation/pain, hypoglycemia, athletic overtraining, autoimmune disorders and more.

The adrenal glands can become progressively less effective at managing stress over time, resulting in fatigue and other complaints. Supporting healthy adrenal gland function is important for overall well-being.

Treatment Options

If you have symptoms of adrenal fatigue, there are a few avenues to explore:

• Lifestyle changes - Minimizing stress, getting adequate sleep, eating a nutrient-rich diet, exercising moderately


• Adaptogenic herbs - Herbs like ashwagandha, rhodiola and ginseng help strengthen resistance to stress.


• Nutritional supplements - Vitamins, minerals and glandulars provide building blocks for healthy adrenal function.


• Bioidentical hormones - customized prescriptions help optimize adrenal hormone levels.Hormone Harmony specializes in salivary testing and bioidentical hormones for fatigue, thyroid disorders, menopause and andropause treatment.

Combining professional medical guidance with an integrative self-care approach focused on managing stress, improving nutrition through real foods, targeted nutraceuticals and optimal hormone balance has helped many of our clients overcome adrenal issues and related symptoms.

We'd be happy to work with you to explore solutions! Contact Hormone Harmony today to schedule your evaluation.