Adrenal Fatigue: Tired, Wired, Foggy & Fat

Watch the LiveStream video: Amber Ratcliffe and Justine Shults discuss Adrenal Fatigue and why it may be what's holding you back from feeling your best.

Adrenal Fatigue is a silent epidemic caused by our fast-paced culture. Being “on” all the time is exhausting and so many of us are experiencing burnout and serious health symptoms as a result. Adrenal Fatigue isn’t just found in adults, it’s becoming more common in kids too, as they are stressed with school, activities, social pressures, and adrenaline filled video games. 

Unfortunately, Adrenal Fatigue is often misdiagnosed as depression by primary care doctors. We regularly hear that people had blood work run at multiple doctors and that “everything looked great,” but in your heart, you know something is off. You can’t think straight, you can’t remember common words, you’re exhausted all the time, despite diet and exercise you’re gaining weight, and you can’t sleep. Your doctor thinks that you might be depressed and offers you Prozac. Understanding what burnout and Adrenal Fatigue entail, and how to take steps toward healing, are essential for reclaiming your vitality and well-being. 

What Is Adrenal Fatigue?

Adrenal Fatigue is a condition that arises when chronic stress wears down the adrenal glands—small, powerful glands situated above the kidneys that release essential hormones, including cortisol and adrenaline. These glands are designed to help our bodies respond to stress, but when faced with constant, unrelenting demands, they struggle to keep up. Over time, this constant demand for cortisol production leads to imbalances that can affect energy levels, mood, and even physical health.

Under normal circumstances, our bodies follow a natural rhythm in cortisol production. Cortisol peaks in the morning to help us wake up and gradually tapers off throughout the day. When stress becomes chronic, the adrenal glands start to overproduce cortisol, often in erratic patterns. This dysregulation can leave you feeling persistently tired, wired, and worn down—hallmarks of Adrenal Fatigue.

The Modern-Day Stress Response: Why It’s Taking a Toll on Our Adrenals

Imagine walking alone in a dimly lit parking garage and hearing footsteps behind you. Your heart races, muscles tense, and you become hyper-aware of your surroundings. This heightened state, known as the “fight-or-flight” response, is your body’s way of preparing you for potential danger. Your adrenal glands flood your system with hormones, helping you respond swiftly.

The problem is that the survival response, as intelligent and evolved as it is, can’t differentiate between being chased by a lion, your boss yelling at you, your babysitter not showing up on time, or seeing your tax bill. Our adrenal glands interpret each of these stressors as an emergency, releasing bursts of cortisol and adrenaline multiple times a day. Over time, this nonstop cycle pushes your adrenal glands into overdrive until they can no longer effectively function, leading to Adrenal Fatigue.

Burnout vs. Adrenal Fatigue: What’s the Difference?

While burnout and Adrenal Fatigue share similar symptoms, burnout is generally a response to prolonged emotional and mental stress, especially in work or caregiving roles. Adrenal Fatigue, on the other hand, involves physical exhaustion of the adrenal glands and has a broader impact on the body’s hormone balance. Both conditions can create a cycle of fatigue, stress, and health issues, but each requires a slightly different approach to recovery.

How to Recognize Adrenal Fatigue

Though signs and symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue can vary, some common indicators include:

• Persistent fatigue, even after a full night’s rest
• Feeling “tired, but wired” or having energy crashes during the day
• Extreme tiredness, low mood, or apathy
• Physical pain, often felt as muscle aches or discomfort in the lower back
• Trouble handling stress and feeling easily overwhelmed
• Unexplained weight gain, particularly around the abdomen (known as a “cortisol belly”)

When your brain and body get stuck in survival mode, you may also end up with:

• Allergies or food reactions
• Anxiety, irritability, or depression
• Digestive problems
• Eczema or hives
• Hashimoto's
• Hormonal imbalances
• Insulin resistance, Metabolic Syndrome, or Diabetes
• Low sex drive
• Osteopenia or osteoporosis
• PCOS, endometriosis, and infertility

What Causes Adrenal Fatigue?

Several lifestyle and dietary factors can lead to Adrenal Fatigue:

• Chronic Stress: Long-term physical, mental, or emotional stress can deplete your adrenals.
• Poor Diet: Processed foods, sugar, caffeine, and alcohol can stress the adrenal glands. These are some of the worst foods for Adrenal Fatigue, as they cause blood sugar spikes and dips that require cortisol to stabilize.
• Lack of Restorative Sleep: Quality sleep is essential for adrenal recovery. Without it, cortisol production can become erratic, leading to that “tired, but wired” feeling.
• Environmental Toxins: Certain chemicals and pollutants can interfere with adrenal health, making detoxification important in recovery.
• Overexertion: Both physical and mental overexertion without rest can increase cortisol demand.

How Do You Know if Your Adrenals Are Fatigued?

You can work with a Functional Medicine provider to check cortisol levels using saliva or blood tests, helping to confirm if Adrenal Fatigue is the root cause of your symptoms. Here are some indicators that testing would be helpful:

• Symptoms: Chronic fatigue, low blood pressure, dizziness, and unusual salt cravings often signal low cortisol.
• Pain Location: Dull ache or pain in the lower back, near the kidneys.
• Adrenal Dumps and Crashes: Sudden energy crashes, often in the afternoon. 

What Can Mimic Adrenal Fatigue?

Several conditions can present symptoms that are similar to Adrenal Fatigue, such as:

• Hypothyroidism
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Depression or Anxiety

These conditions may also involve hormone imbalances and chronic stress, but require different treatment approaches. This is another reason why advanced lab testing is essential.

Recognizing Stages of Adrenal Fatigue 

Adrenal glands produce precursors to many hormones in the body so it’s very important to get a diurnal (daytime) cortisol test to know which stage you are in.  

Saliva samples are collected upon waking, mid-day, dinnertime, and bedtime. You want to be firmly in the middle of the green section. Here you can see what Stage 2 and Stage 3 samples look like. Ideally, cortisol should be nice and high in the morning to give you the energy to start your day and fall throughout the day until at bedtime it is nice and low so you can fall asleep. If your body has stopped producing enough cortisol, the other processes in your body will suffer and lead to additional health conditions. 

Stage 1 

Your body has an immediate reaction to stress and creates the many hormones needed for the response. Fatigue is mild at this point, and you may turn to caffeine, energy drinks, or sugary or high carb foods for fuel. 

Stage 2 

Severe stress on the body continues to increase cortisol, while DHEA goes down. (DHEA is a hormone that plays a key role in energy, mood, and overall hormonal balance.) Normal activities are still possible, but you’re bone tired and it’s getting worse. Digestive issues, body aches and pains, irritability, sleep disruptions, and a sense of being jittery or nervous start to settle in. Your thyroid can also begin to be affected. Many people start to use a lot of caffeine to try and compensate. 

Stage 3 

Your body starts to focus on producing stress hormones. A substantial drop in DHEA occurs. The immune system suffers, so you tend to get infections easily and your quality of life dips substantially. The body isn’t getting enough cortisol, so it tries to conserve energy. Muscle tissue starts to break down to produce energy and you start to feel like you’re crashing. 

Stage 4 

Adrenal glands cease to function and your body is seriously out of balance. During the final stage you lose all sex drive; depression, anxiety, and restlessness set in; and you have little interest in your surroundings. 

Strategies to Reset & Rebalance Your Adrenal Glands 

Healing from adrenal fatigue takes time and a personalized approach, but here are some key strategies for adrenal recovery: 

1. Prioritize Restorative Sleep 

Quality sleep is essential for cortisol regulation. Aim for 7-9 hours of restful sleep and consider a consistent bedtime routine to support healthy cortisol cycles. 

2. Eat a Nutrient-Dense, Balanced Diet 

Focus on whole, unprocessed foods to support adrenal health. Avoid sugar, caffeine, and highly processed foods, which can contribute to cortisol spikes and crashes. 

3. Consider Key Nutrients 

Certain vitamins and minerals are especially supportive for adrenal health, including vitamin C, magnesium, and B vitamins among others.  

4. Exercise Mindfully 

While exercise is beneficial, high-intensity workouts can further stress the adrenals.  

5. Proactively Manage Stress 

Practices like mindfulness, meditation, and gentle exercise, such as yoga, can help balance cortisol. 

Curious about more specific information on how to heal your adrenals, we’ve got you! Join our Adrenal Health Masterclass. This in-depth recorded class is designed to equip you with tools, insights, and guidance from Functional Medicine experts, so you can reclaim your energy and thrive starting from home today. 

How Long Does It Take to Recover from Adrenal Fatigue? 

The time it takes to recover from Adrenal Fatigue varies. While some people may feel improvements within weeks, deeper recovery can take several months. It’s essential to listen to your body, focus on consistency, and maintain supportive lifestyle habits to see lasting benefits. 

Recognizing Adrenal Crisis: Red Flags to Watch For 

An adrenal crisis is a severe form of adrenal dysfunction that requires immediate attention. Symptoms of an adrenal crisis can include extreme fatigue, dizziness, abdominal pain, and confusion. If you experience these symptoms, it’s important to seek medical help right away. 

Take the First Step Toward Adrenal Health 

If you’re feeling worn out, overwhelmed, or struggling with stress and fatigue, addressing your adrenal health can be life changing. Understanding the underlying causes of Adrenal Fatigue and learning practical tools for recovery can help restore your energy and vitality. Join our exclusive Masterclass on Adrenal Health to learn how to identify, address, and overcome Adrenal Fatigue through a Functional Medicine approach. 

This recorded masterclass will cover: 

• The science behind Adrenal Fatigue and burnout 

• Effective, evidence-based strategies for recovery 

• Guidance for managing stress and supporting adrenal health 

Empower yourself and take the first step toward vibrant health and lasting wellness. Sign up for our Masterclass now!

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