What is adrenal fatigue?
Adrenal fatigue is a controversial diagnosis that refers to exhausted or dysregulated adrenal glands that no longer produce adequate amounts of hormones like cortisol and aldosterone. Some key facts about adrenal fatigue:
- Not an accepted medical diagnosis: Adrenal fatigue is not recognized as a real medical condition by endocrinology organizations like The Endocrine Society.
- Symptoms like fatigue and body aches: Reported symptoms include chronic fatigue, body aches, trouble concentrating, irritability, salt craving, and more. However, these vague symptoms can have many causes besides adrenal issues.
- Possible causes include stress and infections: Experts theorize adrenal fatigue may sometimes stem from prolonged periods of high physical or emotional stress. Severe infections like tuberculosis can also damage adrenal glands.
- Tests may show mildly low cortisol: Patients diagnosed with adrenal fatigue often have borderline low cortisol levels. However, those minimal differences usually don't indicate a serious problem.
- Treatment focuses on rest, reducing stress, and supplements: Treatment often emphasizes lifestyle changes like resting more, reducing stress, eating healthy, and potentially taking supplements like vitamin C, B vitamins, and adaptogens like ashwagandha to support adrenal function.
- Medical oversight recommended: Due to limited evidence for adrenal fatigue, having a doctor evaluate any concerning symptoms is recommended. Additionally, long-term cortisol replacement therapy carries risks and should only be considered under a physician's supervision.
While adrenal fatigue remains controversial, if you are experiencing ongoing fatigue or other concerning symptoms, consulting a knowledgeable endocrinologist for a full evaluation is wise. Contact the hormone health experts at Balance Hormone Clinic to schedule a consultation today. Our compassionate doctors can help diagnose and treat any underlying adrenal or hormonal imbalances contributing to your symptoms. We also offer integrated therapies to improve issues like chronic stress that can burden the adrenals. Contact us to start feeling like your energetic self again!