How to Fix Adrenal Fatigue
- December 5, 2024
- Written by : Rebecca LaMarca, MSN, APN-BC, CNS
Adrenal fatigue is a colloquial term used to describe a vague set of symptoms associated with chronic stress, but it’s not an actual medical diagnosis, according to a review of multiple scientific studies.1
The theory of adrenal fatigue “suggests that prolonged exposure to stress could drain the adrenals leading to a low cortisol state,” according to a Harvard Health Blog by Dr. Marcelo Campos.2 The adrenal glands are small organs above the kidneys that handle stress by producing cortisol.
The Endocrine Society has been particularly adamant about dispelling the adrenal fatigue myth, saying: “No scientific proof exists to support adrenal fatigue as a true medical condition. Doctors are concerned that if you are told you have this condition, the real cause of your symptoms may not be found and treated correctly.”3
In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at “adrenal fatigue” and the medical condition of adrenal insufficiency.
Where did adrenal fatigue come from?
According to Time, the concept of adrenal fatigue is commonly attributed to chiropractor and naturopath James Wilson, who is no longer in practice.4 Wilson published “Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome” in 2001 after finding a number of patients complaining of similar problems related to mood and energy levels that he attributed to adrenal gland function.
Adrenal fatigue symptoms
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the most common symptoms of adrenal insufficiency are chronic fatigue, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss and abdominal pain.4 There is a range of other symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, joint pain and hypoglycemia. Many of these symptoms can be associated with other medical conditions, so adrenal insufficiency can be difficult to diagnose, especially if symptoms are overlooked.
The NIDDK relies primarily on blood tests to diagnose adrenal insufficiency.5 In an interview with Time, Wilson suggested that saliva tests can be more reliable because they’re better at measuring cortisol levels. A 2023 study led by a team of researchers from Sheffield University in the United Kingdom found that saliva tests can offer similar results to blood tests.6
“Home waking salivary cortisone sampling has accuracy for the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency similar to that of a standard ACTH stimulation test,” the study says. “Patients found the at-home test to be more convenient than the hospital-based test.”
IV therapy for adrenal fatigue treatment
Typically, a severe adrenal crisis is treated with an IV of corticosteroids combined with saline, a salt solution and dextrose, per the NIDDK.
While adrenal fatigue may not be a clinical diagnosis, certain IV therapy treatments may help manage chronic stress symptoms.
At IV Elements, we recommend our Super Myers Cocktail or NAD+ Therapy if you’re seeking an adrenal fatigue treatment.
The Super Myers Cocktail consists of B-complex vitamins, calcium gluconate, glutathione, magnesium chloride, vitamin C and trace elements (zinc, selenium and copper).
NAD+ plays a role in the body’s stress response, making this IV treatment potentially helpful for adrenal insufficiency.
REFERENCES
- Cadegiani, F. A., & Kater, C. E. (2016). Adrenal fatigue does not exist: a systematic review. BMC Endocrine Disorders, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12902-016-0128-4
- Campos, M., MD. (2020, January 29). Is adrenal fatigue “real”? Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/is-adrenal-fatigue-real-2018022813344
- Adrenal fatigue. (2022, July 7). Endocrine Society. https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/adrenal-fatigue
- Symptoms & Causes of Adrenal Insufficiency & Addison’s Disease. (2022, November 8). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/adrenal-insufficiency-addisons-disease/symptoms-causes
- Diagnosis of Adrenal Insufficiency & Addison’s Disease. (2022, July 23). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/adrenal-insufficiency-addisons-disease/diagnosis
- Debono, M., Elder, C. J., Lewis, J., Fearnside, J., Caunt, S., Dixon, S., Jacques, R. M., Newell-Price, J., Whitaker, M. J., Keevil, B., & Ross, R. J. (2023). Home Waking salivary cortisone to screen for adrenal insufficiency. NEJM Evidence, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.1056/evidoa2200182
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