Is there a medical way to test for Adrenal Fatigue? My mother is constantly sick all the time and is on thyroid medication but from what I'm reading it looks like adrenal fatigue that her doctors are not addressing. For her age she has way too much stress in her life that she has taken on willingly.
She has medical insurance but rarely uses it. Right now she is going to an Indian health facility that in my opinion is more reactive (at best) rather than proactive of the health of it's patients.
I've been researching for how adrenal fatigue is tested, like for instance a blood test. But I can't find it.
Does anyone know what to specifically ask for when adrenal fatigue is suspected? I'm finding that you have to be really specific in dealing with doctors when it comes to your health.
Full Version: Adrenal fatigue
The sad part is adrenal fatigue or failure is not recognized by the regular medical community.
My naturopath found me to have adrenal exhaustion, almost to the point of total burnout. When I went to my endocrinologist (an MD who specializes in the glands and hormones
ha!) she said there is no such thing and totally poo-poo'd it.
I worked with my naturopath on a regimen of supplements to rebuild and nourish the adrenal system. It has taken over a year, but I am much better.
My advice would be to find someone who could work closely with your mom, and one who believes in treating the whole body.
My naturopath found me to have adrenal exhaustion, almost to the point of total burnout. When I went to my endocrinologist (an MD who specializes in the glands and hormones
ha!) she said there is no such thing and totally poo-poo'd it.I worked with my naturopath on a regimen of supplements to rebuild and nourish the adrenal system. It has taken over a year, but I am much better.
My advice would be to find someone who could work closely with your mom, and one who believes in treating the whole body.
There are several articles here on Power Surge which address adrenal fatigue, if you do a search of the site at http://www.power-surge.com/cgi-bin/newsearch/search.pl
One of these great articles is at http://power-surge.com/educate/stress.htm and that offers some solutions.
From one absolutely non-commercial website ( http://www.cushings-help.com/fatigue.htm ):
Needless to say, this kind of testing is very expensive and insurance may not want to pay for it.
Incidentally, my adrenal glands don't work hardly at all. I make just barely enough adrenaline for daily life but if I have any stress at all my body can't deal with it.
One of these great articles is at http://power-surge.com/educate/stress.htm and that offers some solutions.
From one absolutely non-commercial website ( http://www.cushings-help.com/fatigue.htm ):
QUOTE
The diagnosis of adrenal fatigue is made through an adrenal panel (measurement of the level of a variety of adrenal hormones), although, just as with thyroid dysfunction, "normal" levels may be insufficient for the stress to which that person is subjected. Resting (nonstress) levels bear little relationship to the adrenal glands' ability to increase production to counter the effects of stress.
The diagnosis can be made with an ACTH challenge test. ACTH (adrenal corticotrophic hormone) is the pituitary hormone which commands the adrenal cortex to produce hormones. By giving a dose of ACTH, we expect to see a doubling of adrenal hormone output, at least. If this does not happen, adrenal fatigue is probable. In extreme adrenal fatigue, the levels actually fall, demonstrating the "whipped horse" phenomenon.
The diagnosis can be made with an ACTH challenge test. ACTH (adrenal corticotrophic hormone) is the pituitary hormone which commands the adrenal cortex to produce hormones. By giving a dose of ACTH, we expect to see a doubling of adrenal hormone output, at least. If this does not happen, adrenal fatigue is probable. In extreme adrenal fatigue, the levels actually fall, demonstrating the "whipped horse" phenomenon.
Needless to say, this kind of testing is very expensive and insurance may not want to pay for it.
Incidentally, my adrenal glands don't work hardly at all. I make just barely enough adrenaline for daily life but if I have any stress at all my body can't deal with it.
From what I understand - testing the cortosol level gives you an good indication of Adrenal Fatigue. I was asking my doctor this and he said yes and it is related to thyroid problems.
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