ADRENAL FATIGUE

New patients receive an evaluation which includes an initial visit (primary care visit) that is an extensive and comprehensive visit lasting approximately 60 minutes. A thorough health history is taken. Labs test are done, only if they provide helpful information to rule in or out possible conditions or contributing factors.

With chronic or severe stress, the adrenals eventually are unable to keep up with the body’s demand for cortisol. Normal daily functions can be carried out, but the sense of fatigue is pronounced at the end of each day as the body needs more rest than usual to recover. Despite a full night’s rest, the body does not feel refreshed in the morning. Anxiety starts to set in, and the person becomes easily irritable. Insomnia becomes more common, as it takes longer to fall asleep. There is also frequent awakening as well. Infections can become more recurrent. PMS and menstrual irregularities surface, and symptoms suggestive of hypothyroidism (such as sensations of feeling cold and a sluggish metabolism) become prevalent.

As adrenal function weakens further, the body’s need for adrenal hormones remains unabated if stress is not reduced. The adrenals are having tremendous difficulty and may no longer be able to keep up with the ever increasing demand for cortisol production. Cortisol output may plateau and start to decline. This progression usually happens gradually over a long period of time, perhaps years.