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 Nutrition: Feed Your Adrenals These 3 Nutrients

I know you know the importance of a healthy diet, especially if you are trying to recover from adrenal fatigue. I also know that there is SO much information out there, often conflicting.. making figuring out what to eat way more complicated than it needs to be. We want to make adrenal fatigue nutrition straight forward for you. The truth is that when you have adrenal fatigue, nutrition requirements actually increase. This is because when your body is under stress, you use up nutrients more quickly.

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To put it all in a nutshell and to keep things as simple as possible for you, I want you to know that the type of diet that works for one person, may not work for another. It really depends on the person. This makes establishing the perfect adrenal recovery diet complex because it is so specific to the individual.

On a less complex note, there are common nutrients that are important to everyone suffering from adrenal fatigue, and these nutrients are available in all sorts of different whole foods. Figuring out the ones that work best for you is something you can determine by trying them out and acknowledging how they make you feel after. If you react or experience indigestion or other signs of intolerance, make a mental note and try to find similar nutrients from other foods instead.

So what are these adrenal loving nutrients and where can I get them?

3 Vital Nutrients for Adrenal Fatigue Nutrition

1. Magnesium

Magnesium a mineral that acts like a spark plug for your adrenals and for creating energy in every cell of your body. It is used up readily by the adrenals and our cells during times of stress. Magnesium deficiency is very common.

• Food Sources: brown rice, beans, nuts, seeds, sea veggies, leafy greens, almonds, avocados and dark chocolate

2. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an essential vitamin to the entire adrenal hormone cascade and for the manufacture production of adrenal steroid hormones. It also acts as antioxidant within the adrenals as well.

• Food Sources: peppers, leafy greens, broccoli, brussel sprouts, berries, fruits

3.  Pantothenic Acid & the B Complex

All B vitamins are important to the nervous system and to the adrenals, but particularly Pantothenic Acid (vitamin B5). B5 is an essential contributing nutrient to the adrenal cascade, it is a very important nutrient for energy production- quickly depleted during times of stress (especially prolonged stress).

• Food Sources: shiitake & crimini mushrooms, sweet potato, cauliflower & broccoli

There you go, we just gave you the 3 vital nutrients to adrenal fatigue nutrition. It's important to incorporate these nutrients into your diet as soon as possible.

To learn more about how to kickstart your adrenals, download our comprehensive starter kit guide NOW - CLICK THE BOX BELOW! 

Adrenal Fatigue Stages

If you think you may have adrenal fatigue, it’s important to know which of the adrenal fatigue stages you are in because the treatment options will vary from state to stage. First of all, adrenal fatigue staging is done after a doctor - usually a naturopathic doctor does a saliva test called an adrenal stress index. This test will show you your cortisol levels during 4 times of the day - morning, around noon, later afternoon, and nighttime. It should also test your DHEA levels, DHEA is another hormone produced by the adrenals. Blood cortisol and DHEA levels cannot be used to assess which of the 3 adrenal fatigue stages you are in.

Stage 1 Adrenal Fatigue: Stimulation

We call this stage the stimulation stage. Stage 1 of adrenal fatigue is the one people are least likely to seek help for because they usually don’t feel too bad. In this stage people sometimes describe feeling alert and energized. It often comes about during and after a time of stress or anxiety.

Imagine the feeling of anticipating a big event the following day - you aren’t very hungry, you can’t sleep well, your mind is racing, your body is tense, you might feel excited or anxious. These feelings come from elevated epinephrine or adrenaline and elevated cortisol. But instead of having those feelings come and go quickly after the event has passed, Stage 1 adrenal fatigue sufferers may feel like this for many months at a time.

Eventually, the adrenals will tire of creating excess adrenaline and cortisol for so long and will be unable to sustain this production. That leads us to stage 2.

Stage 2 Adrenal Fatigue: Depletion

The hallmark of stage 2 is a feeling of depletion. The adrenaline and cortisol that was acting as a potent fuel in Stage 1 will now be produced in fits and spurts. So in this stage people will have periods of higher anxiety alternating with periods of fatigue. Or they may feel bursts of energy during a few hours of the day and then crash in the afternoons. Energy levels and moods will be very inconsistent so cravings for caffeine and sugar will be intense. I often find patients in this state will feel that need coffee in the mornings and wine at night. It’s hard for them to wake up and also hard to wind down.

Since DHEA levels are also starting to get depleted, symptoms of sex hormone imbalance may also start to show up. Sex hormones are estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. That leads us to stage 3.

Stage 3 Adrenal Fatigue: Burnout

Stage 3 is when the adrenals are out of fuel. Adrenaline, Cortisol, and DHEA levels will all be low. Most people in this stage will feel fatigued most of the day and will have a generally flat affect. Everything feels hard. Coffee and sugar may still produce a little energy, but not as much as they once did. The low adrenal hormone levels can contribute to things like PMS, infertility, menopausal challenges, low thyroid, and poor digestion. It probably comes as no surprise that stage 3 is often when people seek support because they simply cannot function as they once did.

So there you have it. Those are the 3 adrenal fatigue stages. You may be able to tell based on your symptoms which stage you are in but I still highly recommend that you get tested so you can start your road to recovery with the most targeted protocol possible. It is easier to recover from stages 1 and 2,  but even stage 3 adrenal fatigue is reversible.

As I mentioned earlier, the course of treatment will depend on the stage of adrenal fatigue you are in. 
We made you a great cheatsheet resource! It will provide clarity on the different stages of adrenal fatigue and the types of supplemental treatment that is appropriate for each stage. Did you know that supplementing the wrong type of natural compound at the wrong stage of adrenal fatigue can actually lead to more burnout?  You definitely want to avoid this. Learn the in's and out's on supplementing for your stage by clicking the image below. 

To getting answers, 

Dr. Holly German

The Connection Between Adrenal Fatigue & Leaky Gut

The connection between adrenal fatigue and leaky gut is something we see all the time with our clients.The truth is, stress takes a toll on our body on all levels. Even though our digestive system is quite resilient and very efficient at handling stressors, the effect of chronic stress on our digestive system over time leaves a mark.

Do you notice that you suddenly are very sensitive and reacting to foods you used to eat regularly? Are you noticing more gastrointestinal discomfort after meals (bloating, cramping, gas, constipation or other IBS symptoms)?

This is SO so common for those suffering from adrenal fatigue and Leaky Gut could be to blame.

Some Signs and Symptoms of Leaky Gut

• Food allergies or intolerance (especially if you notice these are increasing or getting worse)

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)- gas, bloating, cramping, constipation, diarrhea

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)- like Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis

• Auto Immune Disease

• Skin issues such as acne, eczema and psoriasis

• Anxiety or depression

• Seasonal allergies or asthma

• Candida overgrowth (chronic yeast infections, athlete's foot, etc)

• Chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia

The Link Between Adrenal Fatigue & Leaky Gut

The link between adrenal fatigue and leaky gut cannot be overlooked.

When the junctions that line our intestinal wall become loose (from exposure to chronic stress), and bacteria, viruses, undigested food particles and toxic waste products can leak from the inside of your intestines into your blood stream.  This sets off an inflammatory immune cascade. These loose intestinal junctions and increased intestinal permeability is also known as "Leaky Gut".

Because your adrenals help your body adapt to all the different stressors it is exposed to, this "leak" implicates the adrenals every time it happens. At the same time, leaky gut can indicate that your body is not absorbing the nutrients you are consuming (via food and/or supplements) well.  This means your adrenals (and the rest of the cells in your body) aren't receiving optimal nutrition. If you are trying to recover from adrenal fatigue, addressing this gut connection is imperative.

Leaky gut can be caused by chronic stress and adrenal fatigue and adrenal fatigue can be caused or made worse by leaky gut.

In order to recover from adrenal fatigue, your body needs to be able absorb and utilize the key nutrients it needs to function. It is very difficult to recover when your body is depleted because a depleted body is in a state of chronic stress.

Curious on what steps you can take to heal leaky gut and improve nutrition right now?  Check out our post on how to improve your digestion with adrenal fatigue now. 

Improve Digestion With Adrenal Fatigue

So most likely if you’re suffering from adrenal fatigue you have experienced poor digestion at one time or another. Maybe you've even had to give up certain foods because you have developed food sensitivities or allergies? That was me just a few years ago. And if you have poor digestion you know how uncomfortable it can be. And to make matters worse, poor digestion can have many other side effects like toxic buildup, poor gut health and poor nutrient absorption, so it’s not something you want to ignore. I will be sharing 5 simple ways to improve digestion with adrenal fatigue. So, lets dive in!

1. Chew slowly and chew well!

So simple right? You might not know this but the process of digestion starts right away in the mouth. An enzyme, amylase in saliva helps the initial digestion of foods, particularly starches.

2. Add Glycosaminoglycans

Glycosaminoglycans are found in things like bone broth and gelatin. They help build healthy nutrients for the gut.

3. Eating Fermented Foods Regularly & Consider a High-Quality Probiotic

Fermented foods include natural probiotics. Probiotics are good bacteria you need in your digestive tract in order to properly digest your food and help with nutrient absorption.

If you’re like me and grew up taking antibiotics, that kill beneficial bacteria in the gut, most likely you lack these beneficial bacteria critical for proper digestion. Of course antibiotics have their place, but it just means we need to be proactive about adding the good bacteria back in. We recommend taking a high quality probiotic at least 2-3x/week.

4. Add in Resistant Starches

Resistant starches are a type of dietary fiber naturally found in many carbohydrate-rich foods such as potatoes, grains and beans.  Resistant starches increase your body's ability to burn fat, fills you up and reduces overall hunger. Its health benefits are truly impressive as well. Studies show it improves blood sugar control, boosts immunity, and may even reduce your risk of cancer.

5. Drink Warm Lemon Water or Apple Cider Vinegar Before Meals

Lemon juice is similar to the digestive juices found in the stomach. When you drink lemon juice the liver produces bile, which helps food move through your gastrointestinal tract easily.

Apple cider vinegar is loaded with raw enzymes and gut-friendly bacteria we just talked about that promote gut health and healing.

So I’ve just given you 5 simple ways to improve digestion with adrenal fatigue.

Now I would love to hear from you in the comments below. What is your burning question? Or what has been the most helpful way you’ve improved your digestion? This is a healing community and your comments could be just what someone else needs to hear. So please take a moment to drop us a line below.

Love, 

Dr. Holly German

For more great health tips check out: https://www.positivehealthwellness.com/