Adrenal dysfunction is one of the most common causes of chronic fatigue, yet it is not often assessed by traditional medical doctors. I often meet patients that have struggled with fatigue for years, before finally determining it’s due to adrenal dysfunction.
Our adrenal glands sit directly above our kidneys and play an integral role in how we feel. They are involved in producing over 50 hormones that drive almost every bodily function, many of which are essential for day to day living. These glands are also the first responders to stress – whether it be mental, emotional or physical. A stressor could be as significant as a childhood trauma, the death of a loved one, a divorce, or undergoing major surgery, or something more chronic like instability in a relationship, insomnia or exposure to environmental toxins.
When faced with a stressor the adrenals send out a hormone called cortisol. This is a normal response that is manageable by the body as long as the stressors are sporadic. When we encounter prolonged periods of stress (more than 6-8 weeks) our adrenal glands become overloaded and ineffective and they improperly produce and release cortisol.
Some of the most common signs and symptoms of adrenal dysfunction and fatigue include:
-Brain Fog
-Decreased sex drive
-Feeling tired frequently (as though you’re pushing yourself through your day)
-Weight gain (especially around the midsection)
-Reduced ability to manage stress
-Disrupted sleep (especially between 2:00-4:00am)
-Cravings for sweets or anything that will boost your energy
-Increased irritability
-Dysregulated blood sugar (feeling shaky between meals)
-Feeling “low” or “flat”
The Adrenal Test by Precision Analytical is a thorough assessment of how well your adrenals are functioning and how much DHEA, cortisol and cortisone the gland is producing. It is far superior to a blood test because it not only quantifies your hormones but also maps out how much you are making throughout the day and night. This allows us to determine at which point in a 24 hour cycle you need support, and exactly how much.
Lab:
Precision Analytical
Test Type:
Dried Urine
Method:
In-home test kit. You will be provided the materials to do the test + a pre-paid courier bag and customs forms to return the completed test to the lab in the U.S.
Turnaround Time:
Approximately 21 business days. We will email you once your results are in, and Dr. Molly will review your results in detail at your follow-up appointment. [Please note Dr. Molly will not provide an analysis of your results outside of an formal appointment via email or phone]
What’s measured:
-
Daily free cortisol pattern (4)
-
Daily free cortisone pattern (4)
-
Cortisol metabolites (a-THF, b-THF)
-
Cortisone metabolites (b-THE)
-
DHEAS
-
Graphical representation of results