Case Studies That Illustrate The Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome

December 21, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Chronic stress can lead to adrenal exhaustion. Left unchecked, it creates symptoms commonly referred to as the Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome. If chronic adrenal fatigue is allowed to take over your life it will lead to Adrenal Exhaustion.

The following case studies might be helpful to identify if your own symptoms may be trying to tell you something about the state of your own adrenal glands.

The Early Stages of Adrenal Fatigue

Tammy was a 28 year old mother of 2 small children that came to my office suffering from anxiety and insomnia. Tammy was a 5th grade teacher with many work and home stressors. She also complained of several other symptoms, namely irritability, constipation, PMS and irregular cycles.

Due to her symptoms suggesting a stress disorder, we ran a salivary hormone test to determine Tammy’s diurnal cortisol rhythms. The Adrenal Stress Index (ASI) measures Tammy’s salivary hormone levels of cortisol throughout the day. This helps us to determine the health of her adrenal glands.

These were Tammy’s results:

Morning cortisol levels       35 (normal 13-24)
Noon cortisol levels           11 (normal 5-10)
Afternoon cortisol levels   7       (normal 3-8)
Evening cortisol levels      5        (normal 1-5)
Total cortisol burden       55 (normal 23-42)

Her Adrenal Stress Index revealed that Tammy was experiencing symptoms of increasingly elevated cortisol levels throughout the day. Her elevated evening cortisol levels were the major contributors to the symptoms of insomnia.

This pattern of diurnal cortisol rhythm is typical for an acutely stressful event, and the Early Stages of Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome.

In these acute early phases, the adrenals still have plenty of reserves and are able to produce excess hormones in response to the offensive stressor. The adrenals do this at the expense of progesterone, the precursor to the production of cortisol. To learn more on how the body produces hormones through a cascade of naturally occurring reactions, visit the Youthful Aging Center online.

Tammy received adrenal support using appropriate supplementation to nurture the adrenal glands, stabilize blood sugar and to down regulate the overly responsive sympathetic nervous system causing so many of her symptoms.

The Secondary Stages of Adrenal Fatigue

In the Second Stages of Adrenal Fatigue, we see adrenal reserves running very deficient as they are unable to keep up with the demands the body is placing on the adrenal glands.

Take the case of John, a 57 year old male complaining of daily, debilitating symptoms of fatigue. John is the sole owner of a struggling small business who lives alone with his 3 dogs. John tells us of symptoms which include worsening food allergies with hives, symptoms of low blood sugar throughout the day (shakiness, trembling hands, sweating, weakness, palpitation, headaches, insatiable hunger pangs). He also suffers from eczema of his face and hands and symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (alternating diarrhea and constipation, crampy bowel movements, gas, bloating and nausea after meals).

John’s cortisol rhythms were as follows:

Morning cortisol levels       14      (normal 13-24)
Noon cortisol levels            3 ….. (normal 5-10)
Afternoon cortisol levels   4      (normal 3-8)
Evening cortisol levels        2       (normal 1-5)
Total cortisol burden          23    (normal 23-42)

John is recovering from his moderately severe Adrenal Insufficiency with the help of adrenal supportive nutrients, supplements for sugar regulation and nutraceutical to down regulate his overactive sympathetic nervous system.

The Late Stages of Adrenal Fatigue and Adrenal Exhaustion

Th next phase of adrenal insufficiency is much more pronounced as the patient moves towards total Adrenal Exhaustion. This is Mary’s story.

Mary was a 46 year old complaining of joint pains and depression. She is an emergency room nurse. Mary is also an avid skier and hiker but has been progressively accumulating symptoms such as fatigue, recurring yeast infections, difficulty concentrating, worsening migraines and worsening symptoms of asthma. Mary has recently been diagnosed with osteoporosis and autoimmune thyroiditis (meaning she makes antibodies to her own thyroid gland).

Here are Mary’s cortisol rhythms:

Morning cortisol levels       13      (normal 13-24)
Noon cortisol levels            3 ….. (normal 5-10)
Afternoon cortisol levels    2 …. (normal 3-8)
Evening cortisol levels         1   (normal 1-5)
Total cortisol burden         19 …. (normal 23-42)

Mary is also recovering from severe Adrenal Insufficiency with the help of adrenally supportive nutrients, supplements for sugar regulation and nutrients to help her down regulate an overactive sympathetic nervous system.

The Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue and Exhaustion

Chronic stress leads to adrenal exhaustion and finally to symptoms commonly defined as the Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome. Left unchecked, these symptoms are signaling impending Adrenal Exhaustion. The symptoms of severe adrenal fatigue and exhaustion include:

Pain/spasm in upper back & neck muscles
Loss of libido
Poor memory
Light headed when standing
Headaches
Irritability/moodiness
Alcohol intolerance
Tenderness in low back
Dry/thin skin
Scanty perspiration
Slow wound healing
Cold intolerance
Weakness
Nervous/anxious
Chronic inflammation
Palpitations
Weight gain
Low blood pressure
Sweet/salt cravings
Unexplained hair loss
Muscle wasting
Poor concentration
Frustration/confusion
Low body temps
Slow recovery from work outs

Stress comes in many forms, including:

Anger – Fear
Worry/Anxiety
Depression
Guilt
Overwork
Physical and Mental strain
Excessive exercise
Sleep deprivation
Light-cycle disruption
Late hours
Surgery
Trauma/Injury
Noise Pollution
Inflammation
Pain
Toxic exposure
Infections
Chemicals – Heavy metals
Electromagnetic fields
Radiation
Geophysical
Malabsorption
Maldigestion
Illness
Low blood sugar – Poor diet
Nutritional deficiencies
Inhalant Allergies
Food Reactions
Molds
Temperature extreme

“If you ask me what is the single most important key to longevity, I would have to say it is avoiding worry, stress and tension. And if you didn’t ask me, I’d still have to say it.” George Burns (1896-1996)

The important lifestyle factors leading to chronic stress must be addressed and corrected, including regulating the blood sugar through the right combination of foods eaten at the right time, reduction of mental and physical stressors, and the elimination of chronic inflammation wherever it may be found within your body.

Sleep, exercise, proper nutrition, mental and emotional factors must all be addressed. The practice of yoga, meditation, relaxation, visualization, aromatherapy, massage, personal time, soothing sounds and music and many other modalities are useful for helping you to achieve inner peace. Psychological evaluations with professional counseling and guidance for how to deal with difficult situations and relationship issues may be necessary.

If you believe that you may be suffering from Adrenal Fatigue, get tested and treated before it leads to damage to your adrenal glands. This condition is reversible, but like all glands of the body, exhaustion takes many months to years for a full recovery.

Other Youthful Aging Center Pages:
Testosterone for Men
Basic Lab Testing To Assure Longevity and Youthful Aging
Food Allergies and Obesity
Physician Supervised hCG Weight Loss Program
Take The Functional Medicine Questionnaire

Recommended Reading:
The Youthful Aging Center Bookstore

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