Functional Medicine
Adrenal Fatigue
Functional Medicine
When it comes to adrenal fatigue treatment, we go to the root of the problem and help the body heal itself; therefore speeding up recovery.
Low energy and fatigue are some of the most common complaints we get from our patients. In many cases, these patients are suffering from adrenal fatigue (sometimes also referred to as adrenal burnout). And it’s really no wonder. The fast pace of modern life means we have to manage the house, look after kids and elderly relatives, maintain relationships, a social life, always push at work – and find some time in there for ourselves.
We create long-term solutions and work with you to find a treatment plan that works for your lifestyle. We have a highly qualified team ready to help you with a vast knowledge of these issues. Our hormone specialists and nutritionists all work together to create the perfect plan to get you back to full health and ensure you get the most value out of your experience and time with us.
The level of personalised service we offer is second to none. Each and every one of our patients receives a bespoke treatment plan which doesn’t just factor in the treatment of symptoms; we work to get to the bottom of the issue and take a holistic approach, considering your lifestyle, nutrition, stresses, the gut, age, existing medical issues, preferences, and budget.
Adrenal fatigue is the term used to describe a group of symptoms that occur in those under long-term stress, and is sometimes referred to as adrenal dysregulation. It is different from adrenal insufficiency. The term ‘adrenal fatigue’ doesn’t currently appear in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and as such, there is some controversy surrounding the use of the phrase. However, changes in the body can be demonstrated with lab testing of cortisol levels. Whatever word or phrase we associate with it, patients suffering from symptoms of adrenal fatigue usually require treatment to feel better.
Adrenal glands are a really important part of the body that helps it respond to stress (whether that’s physical or psychological). Prolonged periods with elevated stress puts a strain on the adrenal glands, which produce cortisol (the stress hormone). Cortisol helps regulate blood pressure, the immune system, blood sugar, and the stress response. The constant release of small quantities of cortisol over extended periods of time gives rise to adrenal fatigue, where the adrenal glands are burning out and are in a state of fatigue. This is akin to the pancreas burning out in poorly controlled diabetes where the issue reverts from having too much insulin to too little insulin where the patient then requires insulin injections because the pancreas is unable to produce enough to cope with demand.
It is often an event that may trigger adrenal fatigue, perhaps something at work, the death of a loved one, a divorce or major surgery. In others, it could be an instance of the straw that broke the camel’s back where the triggering event is very small or inconsequential. Whilst traditional management of rest and use of antidepressants can be a crutch for some and buy some time, in our experience that usually only helps to a certain extent.
If you’d like to find out more about adrenal fatigue you can read some of our blog posts Tired All The Time? and Adrenal Fatigue And The Trouble With Burnout.
Whilst it’s perfectly normal to be tired after a night out or a busy weekend, when you’re feeling tired all the time (TATT), have a decreased ability to cope, and it’s impacting your daily life, this is a sign that your body is stressed.
Associated symptoms of adrenal fatigue include:
Feeling overwhelmed
Not able to cope with things you once could
Fatigue
Gut problems
Feeling anxious
Brain fog
Cravings for sweet and salty snacks
Being tired for no reason
Difficulty bouncing back from illness
Low blood pressure when you’re not exactly an athlete!
Some of these symptoms are similar to those of other conditions like sleep apnoea, autoimmune disorders, and hormonal impairments. We would usually recommend blood testing to rule out other conditions.
The gold standard in testing is a salivary cortisol test which measures cortisol levels four times a day on a fairly typical day for you. We also use the DUTCH test which is a urine test that looks at the excretion of cortisol metabolites in the urine, plus a whole host of other hormones and neurotransmitters. This gives us a more comprehensive guide as to how your whole body is reacting to stress and also helps greatly in terms of developing a treatment plan.
Tests are not compulsory, and should the doctor suggest a test, they are at an extra cost depending on what is required. Many patients choose to forego testing especially if they are in the beginning phases of adrenal fatigue where we can start treatment and assess progress further down the line.
A follow-up is usually recommended after 3-4 months in order to make any medication adjustments, but your doctor will confirm this with you. Another follow-up is usually recommended after 9 months and then yearly thereafter.
In-depth consultation with the doctor
Lab testing and interpretation where relevant
Bespoke management plan to get the best outcome possible
Option to convert to a comprehensive consultation if necessary
Ongoing support from our Patient Care Team via phone and email
Adrenal fatigue treatment is tailored specifically to your needs and your body’s requirements. We work with you to find a long-term solution, manage your symptoms, and help the body heal itself. Treatment will depend on the individual and many factors but can include:
Adrenal support with precursor hormone and adrenal supplementation
High-quality supplements
Lifestyle changes
Managing other health issues at the same time (e.g. autoimmune issues, gut, toxicity)
Treatment for adrenal fatigue can really be life-changing:
“I am hugely thankful to the Harpal clinic. I was feeling very fatigued, low energy, low libido and not sleeping well at all. Everyone I spoke to about it, including my GP, largely brushed it off as just something that happens as you get older. It took being offered an exciting, albeit high pressure, career opportunity to spur me into making the appointment at Harpal. I didn’t see how I could take the role on in my then-state. I started feeling better within weeks and since then I’ve felt continuous gradual improvement. Without BHRT treatment I doubt I could perform at the level required by my role – and the bonus is having energy ‘left over’ to have a social life as well. Before the treatment, it was one or the other! I am so glad I made that appointment.”
“I can’t tell you how grateful I am. Harpal Clinic has certainly changed my life for the better, in every way possible, it was a privilege to meet Dr Bains and I am now having the right treatment for me. My immune system was shutting down but now with the right supplements and pacific tablets that are designed for me, and not forgetting the IV drips I have been having in the comfort of Harpal Clinic.”
