This article discusses the different stages of Adrenal Fatigue (AF), the common symptoms you may have, and tests you can have performed to identify AF.
Fatigue is the BIG symptom
The most common symptom that all people suffer with is fatigue that is not sufficiently relieved with sleep or rest. Their fatigue can range from mild and not really interfering with their lives, through to severe, which can leave some people unable to function and bed-bound. The level of fatigue they experience varies depending on the stage of Adrenal Fatigue they are in.
Adrenal Fatigue Has Three Different Stages
According to Dr. Andrew Neville1, Adrenal Fatigue has three different stages that most people go through, with fatigue being common in all stages. Dr. Andrew Neville2 states that other common issues include anxiety, brain fog, depression, blood sugar and blood pressure problems, pain, insomnia and weight gain (or loss). Development of thyroid, autoimmune, digestive, or reproductive system issues becomes more probable as one moves through the three different stages, as exposure to chronic stress eventually ends up suppressing the function of those vital organ systems.
The Beginning Stage of Adrenal Fatigue
During the initial phase, you may experience increased fatigue, disrupted sleep, heightened anxiety, more frequent respiratory illnesses, and/or potential weight gain. In this stage, you can still function, but you don’t have the motivation and get up and go you used to have.
The Middle Stage of Adrenal Fatigue
During the middle stage of Adrenal Fatigue, fatigue intensifies and anxiety/depression and weight changes become more pronounced. During this stage, most people have trouble functioning properly. They are struggling to get through each day. Others are unaware of the battles they face, as they don’t appear sick and continue to push themselves to get through each day, albeit at a great expense.
They feel like they are falling apart on the inside and have to have extended rest days after pushing themselves. I hear from my clients that are in this stage they often have to have a whole day of rest after pushing themselves to fulfil their responsibilities. You can’t judge if someone has Adrenal Fatigue based on their appearance when they’re in “pushing themselves” mode. It’s only on the crash day you might notice someone has Adrenal Fatigue.
The Last Stage Of Adrenal Fatigue
The last stage of Adrenal Fatigue people have limited capacity to function properly and can be bed-bound. According to Dr. Andrew Neville3, they can still have all the symptoms of the first and middle stage, however, their lethargy has become extreme to where it interferes with every aspect of their life.
I certainly don’t want you to get to that stage, as, trust me, it’s no fun. When I was in the last stage of Adrenal Fatigue, getting out of bed was challenging for me. It was a good day for me if I could make a juice.
Unfortunately, my Adrenal Fatigue progressed and became worse. Why? Because I did not have the knowledge and support to deal with it. Don’t let that happen to you!
Let’s look at burnout or Adrenal Fatigue now. What are the common signs that you may have it? Your signs and symptoms will be unique to you and will depend on what stage of Adrenal Fatigue you are in. However, lethargy is the big one.
Let’s look at some of the other signs. It’s possible to experience burnout without having all of these. Each of us is unique, so our symptoms will vary.
• despite getting a good night’s sleep, you still feel exhausted
• you feel more anxious
• you have low blood pressure or it has increased
• you are urinating more frequently
• you suffer with heat intolerance
• you dislike loud noise
• you feel dizzy when you stand from a sitting position
• you have increased stomach issues, pains, and/or reflux
• you have increased muscle tension
• your premenstrual symptoms have increased
• your sex drive has decreased
• you are experiencing headaches
• you’re experiencing aches and pains in your joints
• you feel empty and have no drive to engage in any activities
• brain fog is causing you to struggle with basic concentration
• you have zero patience
• you’re falling ill more frequently and it’s taking you longer to recover
• your sleep quality is poor
• you’re feeling down and sensitive about things that wouldn’t usually affect you
• you’re gaining weight
• exercise makes you feel tired
• your motivation and energy have disappeared
Don’t Let Burnout Make You Another Statistic
According to Dr. Wilson, Adrenal Fatigue is frequently undiagnosed because of inadequate training of conventional doctors in testing and recognizing it. The training they provide is solely dedicated to testing and identifying Adrenal Insufficiency, which is a condition marked by inadequate cortisol production from the adrenal glands. This condition can be the final stage of Adrenal Fatigue. According to Dr. Wilson, 30% of people with Adrenal Fatigue may develop stress-induced Adrenal Insufficiency—I certainly did, and it’s changed my life forever. You are about to learn some tests you can have done to see if you have Adrenal Fatigue.
Cortisol Blood and Saliva Test
Cortisol is the hormone most likely to be affected if you are experiencing extreme fatigue and it’s essential you get it checked. Unfortunately, if you are producing high or low levels of the adrenal hormone cortisol, this can cause debilitating symptoms, including fatigue, insomnia, weight gain, impaired immune function, brain fog, and anxiety.
I recommend you have a blood test and saliva test performed. The blood test is simple, usually done around 8 a.m., as that is when your cortisol levels should be at their highest.
Dr. Wilson explains that using a saliva test for cortisol is more indicative of the hormones inside the cells where hormone reactions take place, whereas blood tests measure hormones circulating outside the cells.
Most traditional doctors will not understand what a saliva test is, or how to interpret the results. However, you can start with a blood test with your local doctor and then do the saliva test, which you can do yourself at home and send off to the laboratory, see a link below. This is one company that does this testing. There are many.
Dr. Wilson recommends you test your cortisol (in the saliva test) at 6–8 a.m., 11–12 p.m., 5–6 p.m., and 10–12 p.m. Testing at these different times gives you an excellent picture of your overall cortisol production, as your cortisol production varies throughout each day. Please note cortisol is an incredibly important hormone, and you need to produce the right amount at the right time to thrive and feel great. Under-or overproducing this vital hormone can lead to debilitating symptoms.
So the message here is you absolutely need to get your cortisol levels checked; make sure you opt for both the blood and saliva tests. There are also urine tests available that can measure hormonal levels over a twenty-four-hour period.
Here is the link to an Australian Company that does the cortisol testing.
There are many companies in the US that do cortisol saliva testing, depending on where you live, you will need to google Cortisol Saliva Testing.
Tests You Can Do At Home To Determine If You Have Adrenal Fatigue
According to Dr. Wilson, there are a few tests you can do at home to see if you have Adrenal Fatigue. While they are not definitive, they provide a good sign that you need further testing to confirm it.
Test for Light Sensitivity
Daily use of sunglasses because of light sensitivity may suggest Adrenal Fatigue. At home, you can perform a simple test to observe how your pupils react to darkness and light.
Dr. Wilson suggests testing by sitting in a dark room, shining a flashlight across one eye (not directly into it) from the side, and having a mirror nearby to observe your pupil’s reaction to light. Dr. Wilson states your pupil should immediately contract when light enters your eye. If you experience Adrenal Fatigue, the pupil will not maintain its contraction and will dilate in response to light. This dilation occurs within two minutes and lasts for approximately thirty to forty-five seconds before returning to normal.
The Blood Pressure Test
While lying down, remain quiet for approximately ten minutes and then measure your blood pressure. Stand up and take your blood pressure right away. Typically, standing causes an increase in blood pressure of 10–20mmHg. According to Dr. Wilson, a drop in blood pressure shows possible Adrenal Fatigue.
1. Dr. Andrew Neville, Adrenal Fatigue Specialist and Naturopathic Doctor. Stages of Adrenal Fatigue.
https://drandrewneville.com/stages-of-adrenal-fatigue/
2. Dr. Andrew Neville, Adrenal Fatigue Specialist and Naturopathic Doctor. Stages Of Adrenal Fatigue.
https://drandrewneville.com/stages-of-adrenal-fatigue/
3. Dr. Andrew Neville, Adrenal Fatigue Specialist and Naturopathic Doctor. Stages Of Adrenal Fatigue.
