The Importance of Cortisol for Adrenal Fatigue

Author: Lucia McEntee, RPh

Are you constantly feeling stressed? Is your anxiety at an all-time high? Are you experiencing extreme fatigue? Do you have to drag yourself out of bed each morning and drink several cups of coffee just to get through your day? Do you suffer from muscle and joint pain, recurrent infections, allergies, low blood sugar or low blood pressure? If so, then it is worth your while to find out if you might have adrenal fatigue.

What is adrenal fatigue?

Adrenal fatigue occurs when the adrenal glands cannot produce enough cortisol to meet the demands of your body. You are basically wearing out your adrenal glands, so you feel increasingly fatigued, stressed, and anxious, among the many other symptoms that you see listed below.

Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue

• Severe fatigue – the number one symptom of adrenal fatigue
• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Hair loss
• Muscle and joint pain
• Chronic fatigue
• Dizziness or lightheadedness upon standing
• Hypotension (low blood pressure)
• Heart palpitations
• Difficulty “bouncing back” from stress
• Recurrent infections
• Allergies and/or asthma
• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Infertility
• Low libido
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
• Cold and heat intolerance
• Depression
• Headaches

Causes of Adrenal Fatigue

It’s no secret that we all have stress in our lives. However, when we begin to have really high stress levels or ongoing stress, this can negatively affect our health, not only mentally, but physically. Everyone leads such busy lives and the stress that many people experience on a daily basis can definitely be a contributing factor.  Chronic, unrelenting stress, whether physical or psychological, can lead to adrenal fatigue.

Adrenal fatigue can occur after acute or chronic infections such as the flu, bronchitis or pneumonia. Stressors may also include work, noise, pollution, traffic, inclement weather, injuries, illnesses, loss of a loved one, emotional conflicts and not enough sleep…not to mention that the upcoming holiday season can be stressful for many people, as well.

Cortisol to the Rescue

Cortisol is your naturally occurring stress hormone. Without it, you literally could not survive.  Stress causes the adrenal glands to release cortisol in order to help your body sustain energy and regulate blood pressure and heart function. It basically helps your body to handle the effects of stress. But after time, your adrenal glands may not be able to keep up with the demand, and you start to feel poorly.

Optimal levels of cortisol are also essential for good health because they boost your immune system, increasing resistance to infections and inflammation. Cortisol is important in promoting the assimilation of both thyroid and sex hormones by the cells of your body, as well.

If you have been suffering from adrenal fatigue, then supplementing with bioidentical cortisol can help support your adrenal glands and improve your health. To find out more about how bioidentical cortisol can benefit you, or to order a refill of your cortisol, contact Physicians Preference Pharmacy today at 281-828-9088. It will be our privilege to serve you!