Adrenal Insufficiency Often Goes Undiagnosed
The adrenal gland is an often neglected gland in the medical community. During high stress times, high levels of cortisol can contribute to weight gain, anxiety and sleep disturbance. As the adrenals are further stressed, symptoms of deficiency can occur. The adrenals are critical to produce the original spark of energy, cortisol, so profound or resistant fatigue can occur. Loss of appetite, depressed mood, and varying weight can also occur. The diagnosis of adrenals are problematic for most. Conventional medicine is able to make a diagnosis of adrenal fatigue only after there has been nearly a complete cardiovascular shutdown. More subtle forms of adrenal insufficiency will go undiagnosed by conventional medical as it did in my case, even by an endocrinologist. Adrenals, like other hormones, need a optimal approach like the other systems. I have personally had profound adrenal failure (Addison’s disease) so I am well acquainted with the diagnosis and treatment of this uncommon, but potentially very serious and life threatening, if not at least life challenging, conditions.
The adrenals also produce the master hormone pregnenolone, and cortisol’s counter-balancing hormone dhea. These can also have profound effects on health including energy, weight control, brain function, memory, cardiovascular health, blood sugar, metabolism, quality of life, and more. Only an expert understands the optimal levels for health