Adrenal Dysfunction 101

Posted by Jill McLaughlin (Grunewald) on Aug 30, 2011
  • Do you have a hard time falling asleep at night?
  • Do you wake up frequently during the night?
  • Do you have a hard time waking up in the morning early or feeling refreshed?
  • Do you get an afternoon slump, only to perk up around 6 or 7pm, and then get a second wind around 9:30?
  • Are you lacking in energy?
  • Do you feel tired yet wired?
  • Do bright lights bother you more than they should?
  • Do you startle easily due to noise?
  • When standing from sitting or from lying down, do you feel lightheaded or dizzy?
  • Do you take things too seriously, and are you easily defensive?
  • Do you feel you don’t cope well with certain people or events in your life?
  • Are you moody or do you have excessive emotions?
  • Are you prone to yelling or screaming?
  • Are you irritable and accusatory?
  • Do you have sharp verbal responses?
  • Do you have excessive sensitivity to others’ suffering?
  • Do you sigh frequently or have “air hunger?”
  • Do you crave fat and salt?
  • Do you have a hard time handling foods high in potassium or carbohydrates unless they’re combined with fats and protein?
  • Do you have an autoimmune condition, especially Hashimoto’s (autoimmune hypothyroidism)? Hypothyroidism (low thyroid function) and adrenal issues often go hand in hand.)

[My best selling cookbook is now available: The Essential Thyroid Cookbook: Over 100 Nourishing Recipes for Thriving with Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s.]

Adrenal fatigue is a hormonal disruption due to chronic stress and the overproduction of stress hormones. It’s sometimes called non-Addison’s hypoadrenia, which is not a widely accepted diagnosis in the world of conventional medicine. Adrenal fatigue is not Addison’s disease, a rare condition where the adrenal glands completely fail. It’s a milder syndrome where the adrenals get bogged down and can’t keep up with the demands we place on ourselves.

Most doctors tend to think in black and white and adrenal fatigue is one of those gray areas - either you have Addison’s or you don’t. But an emerging group of functional medicine practitioners is currently doing an amazing job of raising awareness about this epidemic that is estimated to affect 80% of the population to some degree. According to Dr. Frank Lipman, “We in Western medicine don’t know how to recognize a problem until it has manifested as a ‘disease.’ It’s a lot like brake pads - until brake pads have worn down completely, you don’t know that they are wearing down.”

If you’re in the initial stages of adrenal fatigue, where you’re overproducing stress hormones, and then stress continues unaddressed, your body will enter a second phase of adrenal fatigue, where the adrenals simply get exhausted. They can’t maintain cortisol and adrenaline production and people have a really difficult time coping with the simplest of life’s demands.

To the body, stress is stress. It doesn’t matter if your stress is from being chased by a bear or a deadline at work. And in today’s culture, we are subjected to ‘round-the-clock stressors, unlike our ancestors, who had periods of stress from hunting and foraging for food, for example, followed by long periods of relaxation.

Tiny and Mighty
The adrenals are two small glands that sit atop the kidneys. They are responsible for releasing calculated and small amounts of stress hormones, cortisol and adrenaline, that trigger the fight or flight response that helps us deal with life-threatening situations. Because so many of us are living our lives in a stressed-out emergency state, we’re now releasing stress hormones relentlessly.

Even if you don’t consider yourself a stress monger, modern, everyday life, with all of its traffic jams, deadlines, economic stress, overconsumption of caffeine and sugar, being constantly plugged in and on the go, and never-ending negative media chatter can lead to an overproduction of stress hormones. So yes, there is a spectrum of adrenal fatigue that can run from mild adrenal fatigue to total adrenal exhaustion.

As if the symptoms of adrenal fatigue – cravings, sleep disturbances, blood sugar issues, moodiness, overwhelm, achiness, feeling ungrounded, and mental exhaustion – weren’t enough, there is another unwanted byproduct of tired adrenals…belly fat. Cortisol is “the belly fat hormone” and if you’re overproducing cortisol, you probably have some extra padding around the middle.

Love Yourself Up
So how do you address adrenal fatigue? You might be surprised with what I have to tell you. It’s treatable with whole foods nutrition and…lots of self-care. There is no drug for adrenal fatigue, and those over the counter glandulars often further stimulate and fatigue your glands. So yep, making your health, sanity, and wellbeing a priority is what nourished and supports the adrenals. The key is to allay the stress in your life and keep these glands from overproducing stress hormones.

Evaluate what’s going on in your life and don’t allow yourself to become overwhelmed. Don’t push yourself and learn to say, “No.” Practice with me here, “NO.”

With adrenal fatigue, pushing ourselves is completely counterproductive to healing, but those stress hormones that amp us up often make us want to push more and do more. You have to learn to slow down. This can seem impossible for some people, especially when we live in a society that overvalues productivity and working ourselves to a frenzy. I’m asking you to be a rebel here and go against this unfounded rule that things have to be this way. Otherwise, you could truly wear yourself out. Then where will that leave you?

The pillars of repairing the adrenals:

  • Don’t crash and burn with caffeine, sugar, and refined carbs. This includes alcohol, which is a form of sugar. People with adrenal fatigue fall into that trap of reaching for caffeine and sugar (the terrible twosome) to keep them marching on, but these can further stress your adrenals, so it’s wise to eliminate them from your diet. Just say no to the energy bungee cord.
  • Make the focus of your meals and snacks protein and fat, with a lesser focus on carbohydrates. But do not eliminate carbs!
  • Balance your blood sugar. Dysglycemia (dysregulated blood sugar) is a serious stressor for the body and can make balancing and nourishing your adrenals nearly impossible.
  • Take an adaptogenic herb, like ashwagandha. Adaptogens are a unique class of herbs that have a bi-directional ability to adapt to what your adrenals need. 
  • Eat breakfast within 45 min. of waking to get your metabolism burning and to help your body regulate your cortisol cycle, which will help with sleep.
  • Make sure you’re getting plenty of Vitamins B and C, sometimes needed over and above what’s already in your multivitamin, at least for a time.
  • Do restorative exercise, like yoga, or walking. Don’t overtax the body with rigorous exercise. This can cause a stress response, which will make you overproduce cortisol, the belly fat hormone.
  • Say NO to more things.
  • Breathe. Even five minutes a day of deep breathing will do wonders for your adrenals.
  • Sleep like it’s your job. And go to bed early, if you can. Every hour before midnight is like two hours after. Set a quiet alarm for one hour before you turn in so that you can turn off all electronics, drink some herbal tea, maybe take a hot bath. Eight to 9 hours is ideal. For those recovering from severe adrenal exhaustion, 10 hours may be required initially.
  • If you’re feeling fried, cancel your appointments for the day, if possible, and recharge your batteries by resting.
  • Get quiet time TO YOURSELF. By yourself. Schedule uninterrupted, ALONE time, all for you, and do whatever you want to do…read trashy celebrity magazines, knit, write in a journal, whatever makes you feel good.
  • Get creative. Incorporate some creativity into your life. Play an instrument, dance, paint, write, crochet … I’m telling you, this is food for the adrenals.
  • Engage with people who you most enjoy and who bring out the best in you. It’s okay to let go of relationships that no longer serve you.
  • Play. Let go of what drains you. You don’t have to do it all.

Any approach to correcting adrenal fatigue must address the effects of chronic stress. And as you can see from the list I have provided you, there is a lot of fun involved!

Posted by Jill McLaughlin (Grunewald) on Aug 30, 2011

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Comments

Fantastic article!! I have suffered from adrenal fatigue for the last few years. Acupuncture and simple yoga can be a big help. I have recently started taking ashwagandha. I also have Hashimoto's and hypothyroidism and work with a Naturopathic Doctor to help treat holistically. A natural approach is life changing!!!

Submitted by Amy on August 14, 2013 - 8:10pm

I am in awe at the info and testimonials found on this sight. I have searched the web frantically for all the info I could find on hypothyroidism. You have enlightened my eyes to a lot but still at question on my condition. Have been fighting this battle for 30 plus years. The symptoms are in numeral and my health is failing fast. Lupus, fibromyalgia hypothyroidism, and now coronary artery disease. I have tried a lot on my own because of no insurance but to no avail. Finally gave in went to a doc , taking armour thyroid med, still no better. Can't take much more because now my heart is failing. I know you are overwhelmed with many that have more horrible symptoms than I but at 54, a go getter at life, two beautiful grandbabies and a desire to be more than I am. Please be so kind to share a little of your time and info so that I can enjoy life. Thanks a million in advance. Judith :)

Submitted by Anonymous on August 29, 2013 - 10:31pm

Hi!
I read you article on May.
Since then I've been taking every day a triple (or more) the prescribed dose of multivitamine, Q10, omega3, ashwagandha, vit.d,magnesium and vit c.
After about three months I had a blood count and for the first time in my life my cholesterol and triglyceride count was within the norm!!!! No other diet!
I also began to feel refreshed and not tired s I always am.
Lately my mother (102 yrs old!) had a heart attack and I had to spend a lot of time at her home, so I stopped taking the supplements.
I feel the difference very distinctly!
Today I began taking it all again and I hope to feel better again. Then I'll k n o w the vitamins are doing the job.
Hope to keep you informed.
Thank you so much!

Submitted by ruthy on September 11, 2013 - 10:43am

I am feeling much better since my naturopath said my adrenals were stressed. She gave me herbal supplements that seemed to help. I just had blood work done again and my TSH went up from 4.56 to 5.46 in 8 months. I was taking thyodine a natural supplement for 5 months. Now I am puzzled why this happened. I am worried too! Waiting to see my Dr. About this and will not take drugs. What should I do to correct this problem? What does it mean? Thanks!

Submitted by Mariann on September 17, 2013 - 2:03pm

Hi Mariann,

We are generally not big proponents of thyroid supplements per se, and prefer to direct supplementation (if appropriate) and dietary and lifestyle strategies to the root cause of an underactive thyroid, which, for the vast majority of people, is autoimmunity. While TSH levels can be instructive, they are simply one piece of the puzzle of thyroid function, and are difficult to analyze without those other pieces. (Check out our blog post, TSH=Thyroid Stimulating Hooey.) Also feel free to check out the articles on our site, Repair Your Thyroid, and 13 Ways to Treat Hypothyroidism Naturally, both of which are under "Articles" in the "Resources" tab, or info about Jill's book, Fire Your Thyroid, in our Store. You can email me directly -- mary@healthfulelements.com -- to get information about scheduling an intro session. Best of luck!

Submitted by Mary K. Tomback on September 17, 2013 - 8:00pm

Hi Ruthy,

We're so thrilled that you've found some relief! Keep taking those supplements if they were working for you, and let us know if we can provide any additional support.

Warmly,
Mary

Submitted by Mary K. Tomback on September 17, 2013 - 8:01pm

Hi Judith,

Thank you so much for your comment. Navigating the murky waters of thyroid health, and its connection to adrenal function and hormonal balance, can be very challenging and confusing, particularly given your other health issues. As I heard Jill say earlier today, small hinges swing big doors, and so change in one area is likely to have systemic impacts, but all such strategies can take time before you notice any improvement. There's a wealth of information available on our site, including the "Repair Your Thyroid" and "13 Ways to Treat Hypothyroidism Naturally," both articles found under the "Resources" tab. Much of the material in those articles addresses dietary and lifestyle strategies to tame autoimmunity in general, which could prove beneficial in other areas -- not just your thyroid. We have had so many clients in positions similar to yours, so know that relief from your symptoms is not elusive. We wish you all the best!

Mary

Submitted by Mary K. Tomback on September 17, 2013 - 8:14pm

Hi. I really enjoyed your article. I've read a lot about adrenal fatigue (AF) and much of what's out there can quickly become repetitive, but your article made some unique exceptions. I especially appreciated the spiritual and energetic component.

I wanted to ask about the "recovery phase" that you keep mentioning. This implies to me that you view AF as a curable condition, one that will not necessarily reoccur once the adrenals are re-balanced? Are you asserting that reducing stress, removing stimulants,increasing protein & fat, and supplementing with licorice and ashwagandha is all that our bodies need to heal? What about in cases of severe adrenal fatigue with co-occurring conditions? I've read so many other (often contradictory) protocols for healing AF, it is confusing.

Other common suggestions are to increase mineral salt consumption, supplement key minerals and vitamins, use of adrenal glandulars, use of multi-herb formulas, and therapeutic use of hydrocortisone. Most also recommend 24 hour cortisol saliva testing.

I haven't been able to afford the testing yet, but I really hope to do it soon. I am 100% certain that I have AF, though. I am a multi-trauma and child abuse survivor and I have struggled with varying severity of anxiety and PTSD since I was a teen. I'm now 38 and have also developed Hashimoto's, fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel, asthma & allergies, and multiple food and chemical sensitivities. I also live with chronic back, neck, shoulder, and hip pain that has still not successfully been investigated as to the cause, and I've suffered from severe headaches since I was about 18 as well.

I'm giving you my history to better frame my question. How can I heal from this? I've made immense dietary and lifestyle changes, and am not exposed to chemicals or toxins. I do everything I can to moderate my exposure to stress, and yet I experience anxiety almost daily. I'm a low income single mother, so there is plenty of stress coming my way 24/7. My fatigue is so severe that I get A LOT of rest. I've used nervines and adaptogenic herbs for years. I'm not sure what else to do to heal my adrenals. And if I do get them feeling replenished, how to stop this from recurring given the issues I related above?

I would very sincerely appreciate any suggestions that you may have for me.

Thank you,
Melissa

Submitted by Anonymous on January 8, 2014 - 9:47pm

Hi Melissa,

Thank you so much for your thoughtful and heartfelt comment. We'd love to be able to give you some advice and determine whether we'd be able to help you, but that's very difficult to do via email (or blog comments). If you're interested in speaking with us in detail about your situation, please use the form on our Contact page or email us to be put on our waiting list for future session. We anticipate that our schedule will open up again for intro sessions in the coming weeks.

Warmly,
Mary

Submitted by Mary K. Tomback on January 10, 2014 - 2:42pm

Hi Melissa, I'd like to add that we'll be offering a Restore Your Adrenals teleclass series as soon as possible. I'm currently in the throes of writing my Essential Thyroid Cookbook, which will be published this spring. The next big thing for us is to create this series of classes where you can call in from anywhere and the Action Guides are sent to you via email. We've offered a few teleclass series before and they've been hugely successful and are a great way to get invaluable information without committing to a one-on-one coaching program.

Quickly, I'm not a fan of glandulars, especially the ones with bovine or porcine glands. Also, we've worked with several people with a history of PTSD and I've found this to be the most significant contributor to AF. As Marcelle Pick says, "It's historic stress, not day-to-day stressors, that most affect our adrenals."

Warmly,
Jill

P.S. Yes, there is a lot of conflicting information out there and yes, you can heal!

Submitted by Jill McLaughlin (Grunewald) on January 10, 2014 - 3:05pm

Reading this is like a light bulb going off in my head, I have recently started loosing my hair, probably due to hypothyroidism, I have got the belly fat!! and cry at adverts, I am unable to cope with simple tasks and sometimes afraid to leave the house, I used to be so strong, but recent events have left me nervous about everything, some days I find it hard to breath, doctors offer little help, on the verge of useless, but knowing I can do this naturally will hopefully repair what has all gone wrong, what I want to know is will my hair come back, I am desperate about it.

Submitted by Yve on January 13, 2014 - 3:39am

It seems a common theme in boosting thyroid, adrenal and overall body function is lay off caffeine and sugars. I am tired pretty much constantly and just getting through the work day is a challenge. What is the best way to boost energy levels without having to down two cups of coffee?

Submitted by Ellen on January 17, 2014 - 9:16am

I have all symptoms described, was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and took medication for about eight years but after finding my spiritual path decided to have an experiment, took myself off meds for 6 months only to be told I could get away without taking them again. I had been told I'd be on meds for life. I tend to be defensive, moody, anger easily. I am sensitive to other people's opinions and pain. I have had severe mood Sonja and also sudden fatigue over the years and really want this to change. I'll try the licorice and other thyroid and adrenal help. thank you

Submitted by Niamh on January 28, 2014 - 3:24pm

Hi Yve,

Yes, it is certainly possible for hair loss to abate and for hair to grow back, but bring balance back to your body to facilitate that regrowth is multifactorial and obviously depends on the unique cause (or causes) of the hair loss itself. It certainly seems like mediating the stress response in your body is key, but doing so will likely require various biological, dietary, and lifestyle components. Please email us if we can be of any assistance.

Mary

Submitted by Mary K. Tomback on January 29, 2014 - 9:57am

Hi Ellen,

There are countless ways to restore energy. Coffee is a bad long-term strategy, in that it can severely tax the adrenals and perpetuate and exacerbate cortisol imbalance, which certainly does more harm than good. All of the tips listed above are great places to start, but you'll have to be patient and withstand some withdrawal symptoms if you decide to go cold-turkey. Keep an eye out for news about our Restore Your Adrenals teleclass, too.

Mary

Submitted by Mary K. Tomback on January 29, 2014 - 10:00am

Hi Niamh,

Yes, definitely try implementing the strategies outlined in the post, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need more personalized guidance.

Mary

Submitted by Mary K. Tomback on January 29, 2014 - 10:01am

Thank you so much for all of this information, I shall try everything and hope I start to feel better.
My health dramatically crashed and this article has given me some form of insight and hope that I'll be fine.

Doctors can't figure out my symptoms. So ill fix it on my own.

Submitted by Nicole on March 22, 2014 - 8:08am

Nicole,

We're so glad you're finding this information helpful. It's true -- many medical professionals ignore adrenal function unless the symptoms point to Cushing's disease or Addison's disease. But adrenal function exists on a spectrum, and it closely linked with thyroid function and hormone balance. Best of luck as you continue your research, and please let us know if we can be of support or guidance.

Warmly,
Mary

Submitted by Mary K. Tomback on March 25, 2014 - 11:42am

Hi there,
I found this very helpful and you literally described me to a "T". My husband was laughing out loud when I read it to him. I got diagnosed with Hashimotos when my first child was 5 months old (this was about 2 1/2 years ago). When my second child was 6 months old I got diagnosed with Thyroid cancer. I had my entire thyroid removed in December. Although I never lost all my baby weight with either child, I did get down to 10 lbs above my normal weight. I work out every single day and have been gluten and dairy free for 10 months now. The problem is that my TSH levels are all over the map. I have my blood taken every 2 weeks (because I go from feeling great to feeling like crap so quickly). My belly goes from being hard and bloated to flat and I don't know why, but right now my TSH is at .21 and my belly is huge so I'm thinking they aren;t related at all. One week my TSH is at a 7 and the next week I was at .21. My T3 is also low, It is a 81. I am now on 150 Synthroid and 10 mg of T3. I had my cortisol tested in the AM and it was 21.8. Is this normal? My doctors tell me it is, but I honestly don't trust them after everything I've been through. I;m sort of at the end of my rope and tired of dealing with this. Is there anything you think I need to be doing more of? Or something I'm not doing right? Do I need to be concerned with Addison's disease?
Sorry for the ramble but my brain hasn't worked right in 2 years. Any help is so greatly appreciated!!!

Submitted by Steph on April 8, 2014 - 7:28pm

Hi Steph, I'm really sorry to hear about your thyroid cancer. TSH is a pituitary hormone. If you had Hashimoto's, your immune system is still hypervigilant if you haven't embarked on an immune modulatory protocol. This is likely why you're swinging around with how you feel. If you have antibodies to one system/tissue, it's very likely you have antibodies to others. Some doctors say the odds are 80%. So just because your thyroid was removed doesn't mean that you are free from autoimmunity. Sorry that this comment box isn't big enough to give you the support you need. You can go to our Contact page if you want to talk directly. Warmly, Jill

Submitted by Jill McLaughlin (Grunewald) on April 9, 2014 - 12:41pm

Ive read your article and wanting to learn more about this, I have been fighting fatigue, brain fog, weight gain,and in my youth had a big problem with fertility, been dealing with this for years.I'm now in menopause and things have just gotten worse. Been to countless doctors had countless blood test even went to a sleep clinic to no avail. The only red flag was my thyroid was sometimes low next time fine doctors said that was fine not to worry. My doctor wanted me to try phentermine for the weight gain, didnt help with the weight but for the first time in years i felt like I was finally fully awake. I told my doctor this and all he wants to do is keep me on it. I dont take them but id sure like to feel that way again without taking any drugs. I,m just wondering if this has been my problem all along. I really want to feel better have energy again and enjoy life. any input would be really helpful Thank you so much Cindy

Submitted by cindy on April 27, 2014 - 3:31pm

Hello, I was wondering if you could answer a few questions...
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about a year after having my daughter, but had an eye kept on it my whole life, as it is genetic and I have always been rather ill...
I have been on synthroid and the syptoms are all still here, and getting much worse..
I believe I have Hashimoto's, as I also have rheumatoid arthritis, but my current doctors are not helpful at all.

Submitted by Lauren on April 29, 2014 - 10:30pm

Hi Cindy, I'm sorry to hear about your struggles. Often times, things do get worse during or pre-menopause. Whether or not your thyroid is underfunctioning is largely determined by what labs are run (limited? thorough?) and what reference ranges are used. You can see a full, functional thyroid panel at this link: http://www.healthfulelements.com/blog/2011/10/11/tsh-thyroid-stimulating...

Submitted by Jill McLaughlin (Grunewald) on April 30, 2014 - 10:00am

Hi Lauren, hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's often show up post-pregnancy. Very common. Synthroid works for a tiny percentage of people. I feel it's pretty worthless. Given your propensity for autoimmunity (the R.A), you likely have Hashimoto's, as 97% of those with hypothyroidism do. I'm not diagnosing you, of course, but the chances are good. Thyroid drugs don't heal autoimmunity.

Submitted by Jill McLaughlin (Grunewald) on April 30, 2014 - 10:03am

I was prescribed DHEA 10mg compounded sustained release by a holistic MD and it helps with the headaches brain fog and weakness. With no side effects and lifts my mood. You can get over the counter but not low dose time release

Submitted by Karen on May 27, 2014 - 3:17pm

Hi Karen, you raise a good point about DHEA supplementation. It's important to do low-dose, like 5-10 mg. Anything more can cause acne, agitation, and facial hair. As I always say to my clients, "Less is often more." I'm a big fan of homeopathic dosing. Homeopathy is its own science, but you can apply the "less is more" approach with herbs and some supplementation with great results.

Submitted by Jill McLaughlin (Grunewald) on May 27, 2014 - 4:03pm

I just found this article & these things describe my mood exactly. I've been considering going to the doctor to see if I needed hormone medication because I feel so off with my mood & feelings, even though I don't have any major stress in my life. I am going to see a doctor to have my thyroid tested but would like to correct my issues as naturally as possible. What daily supplements & what amount of each do you recommend? Currently I don't even take vitamins. Thank you for this helpful information.

Submitted by Kristin on May 31, 2014 - 11:22am

Hi Kristin, it's not our M.O. to make blanket, one-sized-fits all supplement recommendations, especially when we're not big supplement-pushers to begin with. We feel that we can get most of what we need from food sources.

Submitted by Jill McLaughlin (Grunewald) on June 16, 2014 - 5:29pm

Thanks for the great information. I have a 4cm nodule on the right side of my thyroid - getting both removed next week. Several tests were "inconclusive" for cancer, I'm hoping & praying it isn't cancerous and the left lobe of my thyroid can stay. While the doctors all claim my thyroid function is "normal", I know otherwise. In fact, the more I read about hypothyroidism and adrenal fatigue, the more I realize I've had symptoms for years! I'm working towards a whole foods approach and plan to incorporate the above mentioned vitamins & minerals. Thank you for helping me take back my health. While I appreciate the job doctors do, they are only human. We each know our own bodies best and must not simply take the doctor's word as final when it comes to treatment and health.

Submitted by Andie on July 11, 2014 - 7:34am

Hi Andie, did you know that if it is cancerous, which I hope it's not, very few cases of thyroid cancer are untreatable? The 20-year survival rate is something like 98%. And I couldn't agree with your last sentence more! Blessings to you.

Submitted by Jill McLaughlin (Grunewald) on July 11, 2014 - 9:48am

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