Adrenal Fatigue
Today, the fast pace and heavy demands of work life, family life, and social life put excessive stress on many individuals. Instead of producing cortisol to handle a quick burst of stress and then going back to normal, the body makes more and more of this hormone to deal with these constant worries and pressures. As such, your cortisol levels remain elevated throughout the day, disrupting your natural cortisol rhythm. While a lot of people believe that they have too much cortisol, which causes them to gain weight, we have found the opposite to be true. If chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels continue for years, the adrenal glands will grow tired from making excessive amounts of this hormone. This is called adrenal fatigue.
Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue Include:
- Chronic fatigue
- Low blood sugar
- Low blood pressure
- Dizziness or lightheadedness upon standing
- Muscle and/or joint pain
- Recurrent infections
- Allergies and/or asthma
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Low libido
- Hair loss
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- Difficulty coping with stress
Produced in the adrenal glands, cortisol is a steroid hormone predominantly known for its relationship to stress. It is released in reaction to danger and initiates the body’s fight-or-flight response. Proper adrenal support is essential to ensure this response doesn’t lead to long-term burnout.
Compounded Cortisol sublingual tablets
Compounded Cortisol SR capsules
DHEA for Adrenal Fatigue and Overall Health
In addition to cortisol, another key hormone in relation to adrenal fatigue is dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). DHEA is the most abundant hormone in the body. Considered the “Fountain of Youth”, this steroid hormone synthesizes testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone, and has cardiovascular, metabolic, and anti-stress properties.
Symptoms of DHEA Deficiency include:
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Autoimmune disease, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
- Depression
- Lack of libido
- Weight gain
- Osteoporosis
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
Optimal DHEA levels have the following benefits:
- Cardiovascular: decreases cholesterol, lowers triglycerides, and prevents clotting of the blood
- Metabolic: decreases fat storage and promotes weight loss and lean muscle mass
- Neurological: increases brain function (including memory), helps regulate mood, improves stress by decreasing cortisol, and improves sleep
DHEA also increases human growth hormone levels, increases bone formation and density, and has skin renewal properties.
Treatment of DHEA Deficiency
Compounded DHEA SR capsules
Compounded DHEA topical cream
Compounded DHEA sublingual tablets
Frequently Asked Questions | Adrenal Fatigue
Adrenal fatigue is a term used to describe a cluster of symptoms that occur when the adrenal glands cannot adequately meet the demands of chronic stress support. Under normal conditions, these glands produce cortisol to help the body manage stress. However, during periods of chronic stress exhaustion, the glands may become overworked. This can lead to a disrupted cortisol rhythm, resulting in pervasive fatigue and a decreased ability to handle daily pressures.
A cortisol crash, often a key stage in adrenal fatigue recovery, typically feels like a sudden, overwhelming wave of exhaustion that "hits a wall." Common symptoms of adrenal fatigue during a crash include extreme morning fatigue, lightheadedness, shakiness, and a "tired but wired" feeling where you are physically spent but unable to rest. It is a sign that your body’s adrenal support systems are struggling to maintain homeostasis.
There is a strong link between adrenal fatigue and anxiety. When your cortisol rhythm is imbalanced, the body may overproduce adrenaline to compensate for low cortisol levels, leading to feelings of jitteriness, panic, or irritability. Effective chronic stress support aims to stabilize these hormonal fluctuations to help calm the nervous system and reduce anxiety-related symptoms of adrenal fatigue.
To provide adrenal support naturally, focus on lifestyle adjustments that prioritize adrenal fatigue recovery. This includes maintaining a consistent sleep-wake cycle to restore your cortisol rhythm, eating nutrient-dense meals to prevent blood sugar drops, and utilizing adaptogenic herbs. Reducing caffeine and managing chronic stress exhaustion through mindfulness or gentle exercise are also vital steps in resolving symptoms of adrenal fatigue.
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