Many people stumble out of bed in the morning and begin running all day with kids, work, sports practices, dinner, errands and housework. Constantly burning the candle at both ends leaves you exhausted. Weekends used to be a time to relax and unwind, but many people now find the weekends to be equally as busy. Sadly, this in “normal” for many people.

The cases of people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome is staggering and millions succumb to extreme exhaustion and/or adrenal dysfunction. I you find yourself relying on coffee, sugar or other stimulant to get you going in the morning and throughout the day you may be experiencing adrenal dysfunction.

This feeling is often accompanied by one or more of the following:
  • Morning fatigue/noticeable fatigue any time of the day
  • Craving salty or fatty foods
  • Anxiety or nervousness
  • Difficulty falling or staying asleep
  • Muscle aches
  • Increased irritability
  • Decreased tolerance for stress
  • Decreased mental sharpness
  • Headaches and migraines

It is difficult to know what your cortisol levels and neurotransmitter levels are based on symptoms alone; therefore, it is important to test to determine an optimal treatment plan. Salivary testing is the only way to accurately measure the pattern of cortisol release throughout the day. Saliva testing also allows measurement of the fraction of the hormone that your body can use and is convenient and painless. Because the endocrine system in complex, issues that arise stem from just one hormone. If there is a disruption in the balance of hormone produced by one gland, it can cause imbalance in other hormones as well.

At Hunt Naturopathic Clinic we use the Comprehensive Hormone Profile as an excellent starting place for evaluating hormone function. This panel tests both reproductive (sex) and adrenal hormones, because symptoms of imbalance may overlap. The Comprehensive Hormone Profile will assess: estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and cortisol at four points during the day.