Adrenal fatigue

What is adrenal fatigue?

Adrenal fatigue refers to a collection of signs and symptoms that result when the adrenal glands function below their optimal level. The adrenal glands are two small glands that sit on top of your kidneys and produce hormones, including cortisol and adrenaline, that help regulate your body's response to stress.

Some key points about adrenal fatigue:

• It's thought to be caused by prolonged or chronic stress that overworks and "fatigues" the adrenal glands


• Symptoms may include fatigue, body aches, disordered sleep, low blood pressure, cravings for salty foods


• Conventional medicine doesn't recognize adrenal fatigue as a distinct medical condition


• Supporters argue it's an early phase of adrenal insufficiency

Proposed causes and risk factors for adrenal fatigue include:

• Chronic stress - Over time, excess cortisol requires the adrenals to work harder


• Sleep deprivation


• Poor diet - Especially consumption of sugar, caffeine and refined carbohydrates


• Chronic infections - Like respiratory, sinus and gastrointestinal infections

Some supporters of the adrenal fatigue diagnosis argue it represents an early or mild form of adrenal insufficiency (hypocortisolism).

Adrenal insufficiency is an endocrine disorder that occurs when:

• The adrenal glands produce inadequate levels of cortisol


• Pituitary gland produces less adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

There are similarities in the symptom profile between adrenal fatigue and adrenal insufficiency:

• Fatigue


• Body aches


• Craving for salty foods due to the role of cortisol in salt metabolism

However, adrenal insufficiency can be confirmed with diagnostic blood and imaging tests whereas adrenal fatigue reportedly does not show up on standard laboratory assessments.

Ultimately more research is needed to validate adrenal fatigue as a distinct syndrome related to stress-induced suboptimal adrenal function. Consulting with an endocrinologist or integrative medicine physician can help determine if symptoms may be related to an adrenal imbalance. Lifestyle measures to adapt to stress can promote adrenal health regardless of whether a fatigued physiology exists.