Adrenal exhaustion

[Claire]

Adrenal exhaustion came up on the on-line test Caz posted as the most likely issue for my son. They said there are tests for it (I will ask our doctor).

 

Have you heard of this? I can tell from the name a little, but I would appreciate input if anyone has experience here.

 

thanks,

Claire

[Caz]

In the same book I quoted from before, Patrick Holford's "Optimum nutrition for the mind" it says symptoms of adrenal insufficiency are as follows:

 

Depression

Difficulty concentrating

Short attention span

Lack of drive or motivation

Rarely innitiates or completes tasks

Frequently tired

Can't deal with stress

Socially withdrawn.

 

Holford days this can be tested with either an Adrenal Stress Index (using a saliva sample) or on a Neurotransmitter screening test. The book says for low adrenal levels, supplement with Tyrosine (the amino acid), after consulting with your nutritionist.

 

He also talks about DHEA. Not sure what that is, but says don't supplement with it unless you know for sure that you are low in it.

 

Don't know if that helps....

 

It's all so new to me, and lots of the tests Holford mentions are not available here in Australia, probably more available in the states but.

 

Caz

[Claire]

Thanks a million Caz,

 

You are a fountain of information--I must get that book.

 

Ah, that DMAE. That is one of the supplements that is good or bad depending on whether you are over or undermethylated...

 

Claire

[LuluGirl]

Claire,

 

I don't know if you were looking for specific info on the adrenal test but I happened to have one at home so I thought I'd pass along the info in case it's what you're looking for. Ours is from Diagnos-Techs, Inc. PO Box 389662, Tukwila, WA, 98138-0062. You give three saliva samples and mail it in. I think my doctor said the test cost @ $100. I got it for my hubby but have yet to send it in.

 

Lulu

[Claire]

Lulugirl,

 

Thanks, I didn't know this!

 

Here is the phone and website for others (I got the number from your information): 425-251-0596 www.diagnostechs.com

 

It is called the adrenal stress test and as you say is a saliva test that they mail straight to your home with a practioner order (doesn't have to be an MD). If positive, they fax you a plan with the results.

 

Claire

[Claire]

From the Townsend letter:

 

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_...43/ai_109946562

 

"Symptoms of Adrenal Insufficiency

Low adrenal function can cause, among other symptoms:

 

* Fatigue

* Recurrent infections

* Recurrent sore throats and difficulty shaking off infections

* Poor response and "crashing" during stress

* Achiness

* Hypoglycemia

* Low blood pressure and dizziness upon first standing

 

...

Dr. Jefferies has noted--and again, my experience confirms his finding--that most people with hypoglycemia have underactive adrenal glands. This makes sense because the adrenal glands' responsibilities include maintaining blood sugar at an adequate level. Sugar is the only fuel that the brain can use. When a person's blood sugar level drops, they feel poorly."

 

---

 

Claire

 

ps, I was diagnosed with hypoglycemia 20 years ago--I still don't do well with much sugar. I have low blood pressure, low body temperature (low temp also associated with yeast) and used to get dizzy from standing. My son now has low blood pressure and gets dizzy whenever he stands.

[Phyl]

Claire,

Somewhere I read that celery is a perfect food to help with adrenal insufficiency. However, I can't find any reference for that now. Have you seen that anywhere?

Phyl

[Claire]

Phyl,

 

No, I hadn't read this about celery, I will check it out.

 

FYI, I found a few sources that show that adrenal exhaustion can lead to food sensitivity and yeast issues.

 

Claire

 

http://www.biodia.com/test201.html

Physiology

Cortisol, which is best known for stimulating gluconeogenesis, is essential for normal glycogenolysis. Cortisol affects the heart, vasculature, blood pressure, water excretion, and electrolyte balance. It mobilizes protein stores in all tissues except the liver; it mobilizes fatty acids from adipose; it is the precursor of cortisone and acts as an anti-inflammatory; and it is the primary hormone directing immune function. Cortisol can stimulate or inhibit gene transcription, promote apoptosis, and affect bone metabolism and calcium dynamics. It affects behavior, mood, neural activity, and a variety of central nervous system biochemical processes. Cortisol affects the eyes, gastrointestinal tract, reproductive function, and the production and clearance of other classes of hormones. It is a major marker of the complex control loops regulating the sex hormones. The general effect of excess cortisol is usually stimulatory and catabolic; a deficiency of cortisol usually results in a slowing of physiology.

 

The salivary free fraction of the adrenal cortisol output is reported because of its high clinical correlation to accurately assess adrenal functions. To determine the cortisol circadian rhythm, the sum of four individual cortisol levels is taken at specified intervals throughout the day: in the morning between 6 and 8 a.m., between 12 and 1 p.m., in the late afternoon around 4 or 5 p.m., and at nighttime between 10 p.m. and 12 a.m.

 

In the presence of stressors, the body almost immediately attempts to increase cortisol levels. This increase is associated with both endocrine and autonomic responses in preparing the body to defend itself normally. However, elevated cortisol levels for extended periods negatively affect virtually every aspect of physiology. For example, it becomes more difficult to maintain proper blood sugar levels; to slow down for rest, recovery, and repair; to get good quality sleep; to balance other hormones; to maintain mucosal immune integrity; to maintain bone mass, to produce effective general immune function; to effectively regulate inflammatory processes; or to detoxify the body. Without proper intervention, continued high adrenal stimulation can lead to adrenal exhaustion and lowered cortisol levels. Eventually adrenal or cardiac failure can occur.

 

DHEA is the major precursor of testosterone and the estrogens. It becomes active at puberty. The more stable, sulfated form of DHEA is DHEA-S, which provides a more reliable measure of DHEA levels than DHEA itself. We report the average of two DHEA-S values--the one taken between 12 and1 p.m., and the other between 4 and 5 p.m. DHEA is an important modulator of many physiological processes. It promotes the growth and repair of protein tissue (especially muscle), and acts as a counter-regulatory agent to cortisol, negating many of the harmful effects of continued excess cortisol. When increased demand for cortisol is prolonged, DHEA levels decline. DHEA then is no longer able to balance the negative effects of excess cortisol. Depressed DHEA levels serve as an early warning of potential adrenal exhaustion.

 

A chronic imbalance between adrenal stimulation and cortisol and/or DHEA output is associated with a multitude of both clinical and subclinical systemic disorders, some of which are listed below. Chronically depressed DHEA output results in an imbalance in sex hormones. Abnormal cortisol and/or DHEA values (either elevated or depressed) result in a decrease in the activity of the immunocytes that produce secretory IgA (sIgA). SIgA provides a mucosal first-line immune defense against virtually every pathogen, including parasites, protozoa, yeasts, fungi, bacteria, and viruses. SIgA also provides a normal immune response to regularly encountered food proteins. Dysfunctional mucosal immunity is associated with an increased risk of infections and of adverse food reactions.

 

Clinical Use

The degree and timing of cortisol imbalances provides the healthcare professional with valuable insights into the nature of causative stressors, and allows the practitioner to formulate remedial protocols. Readily identifiable inducers of increased adrenal stimulation include stressors such as tissue damage, inflammation, pain, and mental or emotional stress. Other significant physiological stressors can be subclinical, and include intolerance to the gliadin fraction of gluten protein, lactose or sucrose intolerance, glycemic dysregulation, delayed food sensitivity, and the presence of parasites or pathogens. Additional testing may be necessary to rule out the possibility of these and other factors interfering with digestion and absorption. This type of problem could likely impede such fundamental and critical processes as the ability to absorb water, the assimilation of essential nutrients, and the maintenance of normal blood sugar. Chronic dysfunction of any of these processes is a sufficient cause of adrenal exhaustion. Physiological pathways, organs, or systems identified as being the major cause of some other disorder may concurrently serve as causative agents in adrenal exhaustion. In most cases, regardless of the priority given to another pathway, organ, or system as being dysfunctional--and virtually regardless of the condition identified--adrenal exhaustion resulting from excessive stress must be addressed and rectified in order to restore normal physiology or function.