Adrenal Support & Fatigue Treatment
Restore your body's stress response system and reclaim your energy
Understanding Adrenal Dysfunction
Your adrenal glands, small organs sitting atop your kidneys, produce hormones essential for life - including cortisol, DHEA, and adrenaline. These hormones regulate your stress response, energy levels, immune function, blood sugar, and blood pressure.
When your body experiences chronic stress - whether physical, emotional, or environmental - your adrenal glands can become overtaxed. This HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis dysfunction, commonly called "adrenal fatigue," can leave you feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and unable to cope with daily life.
What Causes Adrenal Dysfunction?
Chronic stress from any source depletes your adrenals over time: high-pressure work, emotional trauma, sleep deprivation, chronic illness, infections (like Lyme disease), poor diet, overtraining, or even excessive caffeine. The body isn't designed for constant stress without recovery.
Signs of Adrenal Dysfunction
Adrenal dysfunction often develops gradually. Common signs include:
- Persistent fatigue not relieved by sleep
- Difficulty waking in the morning
- Afternoon energy crashes (2-4 PM)
- "Wired but tired" at night
- Need for caffeine to function
- Salt or sugar cravings
- Poor stress tolerance
- Brain fog and poor concentration
- Weakened immune system
- Low blood pressure / dizziness
- Exercise intolerance
- Anxiety or depression
The Stages of Adrenal Dysfunction
Stage 1
Alarm Phase
High cortisol. Wired, anxious, can't sleep. Body is on high alert responding to stress.
Stage 2
Resistance Phase
Cortisol fluctuates. Energy crashes, rely on stimulants. Body is struggling to keep up.
Stage 3
Exhaustion Phase
Low cortisol. Profound fatigue, can't handle any stress. Adrenals are depleted.
How We Assess Adrenal Function
Proper assessment is crucial for effective treatment:
4-Point Cortisol Testing
Measures cortisol at multiple times throughout the day to assess your cortisol rhythm pattern.
DHEA-S Levels
DHEA is an adrenal hormone that often declines with chronic stress and aging.
Comprehensive Assessment
Thyroid, sex hormones, blood sugar, and other factors that affect adrenal function.
Detailed History
Understanding your stressors, lifestyle, and symptom patterns is essential for diagnosis.
Our Treatment Approach
Recovery from adrenal dysfunction requires a comprehensive approach:
- Lifestyle Modifications - Sleep hygiene, stress management, appropriate exercise, and energy conservation during recovery
- Nutritional Support - Anti-inflammatory diet, blood sugar stabilization, and adequate protein and healthy fats
- Adaptogenic Herbs - Ashwagandha, rhodiola, eleuthero, and other herbs that support healthy stress response
- Targeted Nutrients - B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium, and other nutrients depleted by stress
- Adrenal Glandulars - When appropriate, to support adrenal rebuilding
- DHEA Replacement - If levels are low, bioidentical DHEA supplementation
- Cortisol Support - In severe cases, low-dose hydrocortisone may be appropriate
- Address Root Causes - Treating underlying infections, toxicity, or other stressors
Recovery Takes Time
Adrenal recovery is not an overnight process. Depending on the severity and duration of dysfunction, recovery can take months to years. The key is consistent support, patience, and addressing the root causes of stress while rebuilding your adrenal reserves.
Who We Treat
- Chronic fatigue that doesn't improve with rest
- Burnout from high-stress careers or life circumstances
- Post-viral or post-infectious fatigue (including long COVID)
- Athletes with overtraining syndrome
- Those recovering from chronic illness
- Anyone with unexplained exhaustion and stress intolerance
Running on Empty? We Can Help.
Chronic fatigue and burnout don't have to be your normal. Schedule your consultation to assess your adrenal function and begin your recovery.
8144 E. Cactus Rd, Ste 820, Scottsdale, AZ 85260