Adrenal Fatigue Testing

Stress can be caused by environmental, physical, psychological or nutritional factors. One of the body’s initial responses to fear or stress is the release of hormones such as epinephrine (adrenaline) and cortisol that initially help us to react or adapt to a stressful situation. Cortisol raises blood sugar and blood pressure, increases the breakdown of protein, interferes with thyroid hormone action, and stimulates visceral fat deposition, which can lead to metabolic syndrome. Chronic Stress is maladaptive, however, and ultimately disrupts the body’s signaling system (the Hypothalmic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis = “HPA Axis”) and the adrenal gland’s normal pattern of cortisol release.

This can lead to problems such as:

Insulin resistance/diabetes
Cardiovascular problems including arrhythimias, CHF, MI, atherosclerosis, and hypertension
Osteoporosis
Dementia/memory loss
Immune suppression
Impaired thyroid function
Decreased kidney function
Exacerbation of skin conditions (acne, psoriasis, eczema)
Gastrointestinal problems (GERD, Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
Mood disorders and depression
Increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases
Sleep disorders
Reproductive disorders
Premature aging

Over time, the body may no longer be able to produce the needed amounts of cortisol and patients can ultimately end up with low cortisol levels (hypocortisolism). Fatigue, pain, and stress associated with HYPOcortisolism may result in Chronic Fatigue Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (CFS), Fibromyalgia, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), asthma, chronic pain syndromes, and autoimmune diseases.

Let our specialist, Cindy Smith, answer any questions you may have about Adrenal Fatigue. 615-283-8035 ext. 7 cindy@pctn.net