The Adrenal Glands

Conditions that suggest Low Adrenal Function / Adrenal Insufficiency:

Autoimmune

Lupus, SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythromatosis)

Lupus is one of the auto-immune diseases, caused by a hyperactive ("hypervigilant") immune system that attacks a person's own protein as if it were foreign matter. One reason for this is poor adrenal function. Adrenal steroids modulate (slow down) the immune system: when there is not enough of these steroids the immune system goes berserk.

Hyperthyroidism
Chronic Thyroiditis
Crohn's Disease
{colitis} Ulcerative Colitis

Counter-indicators:
{addisons} Addison's Disease

Circulation

Counter-indicators:
{anemia} Anemia (Iron deficiency)

Diet

Sugar Craving

Hormones

Low Sex Drive
Low Progesterone or Estrogen Dominance

The inner most layer of an adrenal gland is the zona reticularis which produces small amounts of sex hormones. Specifically, it produces androgen, estrogen and progesterone. Adrenal exhaustion can therefore cause hormone deficiencies.

Hypothyroidism

The co-existence of thyroid hormone deficiency and glucocorticoid deficiency is not rare. Primary hypothyroidism due to chronic autoimmune thyroiditis is associated with primary adrenocortical insufficiency due to autoimmune adrenalitis. The very cause of central hypothyroidism in many instances will also result in ACTH deficiency and secondary adrenocortical insufficiency. If the two entities co-exist, it is important to replace glucocorticoid before starting thyroxine. Treatment of hypothyroidism in patients with glucocorticoid deficiency may precipitate an adrenal crises because the adrenal gland is incapable to meet the increasing demand for cortisol induced by the rise of the metabolic rate.

Hirsutism (excess facial and/or body hair)

Immunity

AIDS / Risk

Adrenal insufficiency is considerably less common than hypogonadism in people with HIV, but its incidence increases in advanced cases.

Weakened Immune System

Adrenal insufficiency can lead to a host of problems, including a weakened immune response, anxiety and panic attacks.

Infections

  Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
   Sinusitis

Counter-indicators:
  Lyme Disease

Inflammation

Chronic Inflammation

The adrenal glands produce hydrocortisol, the major natural anti-inflammatory steroid in the body. Without enough circulating cortisol there may be a tendency to become easily inflamed.

Lab Values

A Low IgM Level

Mental

Stress
Unresolved Grief

Adrenal fatigue increases the time it takes to recover from illness, injury and trauma, including emotional trauma.

Anxiety

Adrenal insufficiency can lead to a host of problems, including a weakened immune response, anxiety and panic attacks.

Metabolic

Hypoglycemia
Headaches, Migraine/Tension

Musculo-Skeletal

{arthritis_rheumatoid} Rheumatoid Arthritis

Nervous System

Fainting / Syncope

Organ Health

Diabetes Type II / Risk
Esophagitis

Respiratory

Asthma

Skin-Hair-Nails

  Dry skin
  Hives
  Cold Hands and Feet
  {acne} Adult Acne

Symptoms - Muscular

History of/having a fibromyalgia diagnosis

Uro-Genital

Fibrocystic Breast Disease

[The Safe Uses of Cortisol, William Mck. Jefferies, MD 1996, p.156]

Erectile Dysfunction (ED, Impotence)
Dysmenorrhea, Painful Menstruation

Dysmenorrhea caused by ovarian dysfunction may disappear when low doses of cortisol are used to improve adrenal influence on ovarian function. [The Safe Uses of Cortisol, William Mck. Jefferies, MD 1996, p.157]

Metrorrhagia

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