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 amounts 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, inflammation and the body's response to stress. Chronic stress is considered the primary cause of adrenal fatigue. Stress causes the adrenals to increase cortisol production at the expense of other hormones like DHEA and testosterone.
Over time, the adrenals become overworked and unable to keep up with demand, leading to symptoms like:
While adrenal fatigue is not an official medical diagnosis, many integrative and functional medicine practitioners treat it with lifestyle changes, nutritional supplements, herbal remedies, and hormone replacement therapy when needed.
If you suspect you may have adrenal fatigue, the practitioners at Optimal Hormone Solutions can help diagnose the root cause and craft a personalized treatment plan to renew your vitality. mOptimal Hormone Solutions uses advanced testing and takes a whole-body approach, addressing factors like diet, exercise, stress levels, sleep and more to support optimal adrenal and hormone health.
Diagnosing Adrenal Fatigue
Since adrenal fatigue is not an established medical diagnosis, it can be tricky to diagnose. Practitioners will do a thorough history and ask about your lifestyle, diet, stress levels and symptoms.
They may run blood, saliva or urine tests to check cortisol and DHEA levels and see how your adrenals respond to stimulation tests.
“The adrenal fatigue test from Optimal Hormone Solutions was a game-changer. They spotted my low cortisol levels and helped me fix the root causes with supplements and diet.”
Below optimal levels may indicate weakened adrenal function. However, sometimes normal results can still be consistent with adrenal fatigue since levels fluctuate throughout the day. That’s why your history and presenting symptoms provide meaningful insight.
Treatment for Adrenal Fatigue
Natural adrenal support strategies are the mainstay for treating this condition. Key treatment approaches include:
The expert practitioners at Optimal Hormone Solutions create fully personalized, integrative treatment regimens to meet each person’s unique needs. We address all contributing factors to optimize adrenal health, energy and wellbeing.
I highly recommend contacting them for a consultation if you’re experiencing any symptoms of adrenal dysregulation or fatigue. Their innovative therapies can help you thriving again!