Test for Adrenal Fatigue - 3 Simple Ways to Test

Wondering if your low energy and chronic fatigue could be adrenal fatigue?  But, you don't want to pay for testing just yet? We want to help you test for adrenal fatigue for free and in the convenience of your own home. So we are going to give you 2 free at-home tests today. This way you can get some answers before you spend any money. We also want to tell you about the most comprehensive medical test for adrenal fatigue out there.

We recommend you get some answers soon. If you think you have adrenal fatigue you don’t want to ignore it as this condition can lead to many chronic health conditions if left untreated.

Go ahead and start with these 2 at-home tests for adrenal fatigue. But, please keep in mind that the best diagnosis is one that looks at the whole picture. For example, a range of tests, symptoms, and signs.

This will require 2 things:

1. Patience on your part

2. A practitioner that has experience and thorough knowledge of the various systems of the body.

Okay, so back to the tests.

Test #1 - Orthostatic Hypotension Test

1. Take blood pressure after lying down for 2 + minutes

2. Then take blood pressure immediately on rising

In a healthy person, the blood pressure will drop momentarily upon standing and then quickly come back to a higher level.

In adrenal fatigue, the blood pressure stays low for an extended period of time. This leads to dizziness and lightheadedness.

Orthostatic hypotension is when a person's blood pressure falls dramatically when suddenly standing up or stretching. In medical terms, it is defined as a fall in systolic blood pressure of at least 20 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure of at least 10 mm Hg when a person assumes a standing position.

Test #2  - The Iris Contraction Test

The iris test for adrenal fatigue is a simple test that measures your body’s stamina to respond to light.

This test will only take a few minutes and all you will need is a dark room, a flashlight, a mirror and a watch or clock. Essentially you will go into a dark room or closet with a flashlight, mirror, and watch or clock. After being in the dark for a couple of minutes, you will shine the flashlight on the side of your eye and look for how your eyes respond to the light.

For the full list of instructions on how to conduct this test, check out this blog…

Test #3 - Adrenal Stress Index

The Adrenal Stress Index test is the most comprehensive test for adrenal fatigue available. This is a saliva test that you would get through a Naturopathic doctor or a functional medicine practitioner. This is not something you can get from a traditional medical doctors office or an endocrinologist. We want to be clear that this test is not free. But, the great thing is that you get the kit from the doctor’s office or it’s sent to you in the mail and you can do the test in the convenience of your home.

An adrenal stress index test looks at 4 cortisol readings. You will take 4 saliva samples; first in the morning, second around noon, third in the afternoon, and the fourth in the evening. These readings are looking to see if your cortisol rhythm in keeping within the normal circadian rhythm. The normal circadian rhythm is elevated in the morning, declines and goes lower in the afternoon. In adrenal fatigue people either have high cortisol levels because their stress response is really intensified all the time or they can be flat-lined. This would result in a feeling of fatigue.

Most Adrenal Stress Index tests also test for DHEA, a hormone that the adrenals produce that is a precursor to your sex hormones. It is important that you get a test that tests both cortisol and DHEA.

If signs and testing show that in fact, you have adrenal fatigue, here at healyouradrenalfatigue.com we want to help you get the tools you need to heal so you can get your life back. We have put together a starter kit of great resources. This kit includes a shopping list, a daily healing routine, recipes and more. We want to give you the starter kit absolutely free so you can take the uncertainty and overwhelming feelings out of the equation. All you have to do is enter your name and email below and it's yours.

Now we’d love to hear from you in the comments below. What are your burning questions? How can we help you? You’re not alone, so reach out and your comments or questions could help someone else on their healing journey. So take a moment now to drop us a line below.

Love, 

Dr. Holly German and Angela

Adrenal Fatigue Test - Simple At Home DIY Test

Wondering if the low energy and chronic fatigue you are experiencing could be adrenal fatigue? Today, I will be sharing a simple at home adrenal fatigue test. However, please keep in mind that the best diagnosis is one that looks at the whole picture. For example, a range of tests and an assessment of symptoms and physiological signs such as iris contraction, blood pressure, and cortisol levels. 

This requires some patience on your part and a practitioner that has experience and thorough knowledge of the various systems of the body. 

 The Iris Contraction Adrenal Fatigue Test

This test measures your body’s stamina to respond to light.

What You Need:

o      A weak flashlight or penlight (make sure it’s not too bright)

o      Time device with seconds

o      A mirror

o      A dark room or closet

o      A chair

Step by Step Instructions:

1. Go into a dark room or closet and stay there a few minutes to allow your eyes to adjust to the dark. Your pupils (the dark circle in the center of your eye) will dilate (open) fully

2. Shine the flashlight to the side of the eye (avoid shining it directly)

3. Keep the light shining for about 30 seconds (use the other eye to look in the mirror). The pupil should contract in response to the light.

4. Normally the pupil would remain contracted in the light, but if you suffer from adrenal fatigue the pupil will not be able to stay contracted and will dilate (open back up). Or it will waver between contracted and relaxed or contract at first, but then dilate (open) after 10-30 seconds.

5. This dilation should take place within 2 minutes and will last for about 30-45 seconds before it recovers and contracts again.

6. Use your time device and see how long the dilation lasts.

7. Take notes for your records and test every few weeks of your healing journey. As you recover, the iris will hold its contraction and the pupil will remain small for longer.

If you have trouble doing this adrenal fatigue test alone, as a friend or your partner for help.

Now what?

If the iris contraction adrenal fatigue test suggests the likelihood of adrenal fatigue, we recommend taking the saliva test as soon as possible.

This test is done in the convenience of your own home using a simple test kit. It involves you spitting into a tube several times a day and then sending them off to a lab for analysis. The test analyzes your cortisol levels throughout the course of a 24-hour cycle.

Now we’d love to hear from you in the comments below. What are your burning questions? What do you need support with? You’re not alone, so reach out and your comments or questions could help someone else on their healing journey. So take a moment now to drop us a line below.