The adrenals are two small glands, each weighing 3 to 5 grams, that are located above the kidneys. The adrenals have one of the highest rates of blood flow per gram of tissue, and the highest content of Vitamin C per gram of any tissue in the body.
Each adrenal gland is composed of two separate functional entities. The outer zone, or cortex, accounts for 80% to 90% of the gland, and secretes adrenal steroids (cortisol, DHEA(s) and aldosterone). The inner zone, or medulla, comprises 10% to 20% of the gland, and secretes the catecholamines adrenaline and nor-adrenaline. Cortisol, DHEA and adrenaline are the three main adrenal stress hormones.
As a positive influence, stress can help compel us to action; it can result in a new awareness and an exciting new perspective. As a negative influence, it can result in feelings of distrust, rejection, anger, and depression, which in turn can lead to health problems such as headaches, upset stomach, rashes, insomnia, ulcers, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
The human adrenal gland does not secrete its steroid hormones at a constant level throughout the day. The hormones are actually released in a cycle with the highest value in the morning and the lowest value at night. This is easily understood by looking at the figure below. This 24-hour cycle is called the circadian rhythm. An abnormal adrenal rhythm can influence many functions of the body, some of which are listed below.
1. Energy production - Abnormal adrenal function can alter the ability of cells to produce energy for activities of daily living. People who have a hard time rising in the morning, or who suffer with a low energy level during the day, often have abnormal adrenal rhythms and poor blood sugar regulation. Prolonged alterations in cortisol and/or DHEA levels can lead to adrenal exhaustion.
The maintenance of a stable blood sugar level depends on food choice, lifestyle, adrenal function and insulin activity. This panel measures stress hormones and insulin, to help ferret out causes of fatigue, cravings and obesity.
2. Muscle & joint function - Abnormal adrenal rhythms are known to compromise tissue healing. Reduced tissue repair and increased tissue breakdown can lead to muscle and joint breakdown with chronic pain
3. Bone health - The adrenal rhythm determines how well we build bone. If the night cortisol level is elevated and the morning level is too high, our bones do not rebuild well, and we are more prone to the osteoporotic process. Stress is the enemy of the bones. In postmenopausal women, the effect of stress worsens due to the female hormone imbalances
4. Immune health - Various immune cells (white blood cells) cycle in and out of the spleen and bone marrow for special conditioning, and possible nourishment and instructions. This immune system trafficking follows the cortisol cycle. So, if the cycle is disrupted, especially at night, then the immune system is adversely affected.
Short and long-term stress is known to suppress the immune response on the surfaces of our body as in lungs, throat, urinary and intestinal tract. With the reduction in the surface antibody (called secretory IgA), the resistance to infection is reduced and allergic reactions are believed to increase.
5. Sleep quality - The ability to enter REM sleep cycles, i.e. regenerative sleep, is interrupted by high cortisol values at night and in the morning. Chronic lack of REM sleep can reduce the mental vitality and vigor of a person and induce depression.
6. Skin regeneration - Human skin regenerates mostly during the night. With higher night cortisol values, less skin regeneration takes place. So, a normal cortisol rhythm is essential for optimal skin health (See the figure below)
7. Thyroid function - The level of cortisol at the cell level controls thyroid hormone production. Quite often, hypothyroid symptoms such as fatigue and low body temperature are due to an adrenal maladaptation.
8. Grain intolerance & stress - About 12-18% of the U.S. population suffers from a genetic intolerance to grain. Specifically, a high incidence occurs in Celtic, Germanic, and Nordic derivation. The gut becomes inflamed within 30 minutes after consuming the grains and this can lead to an adrenal stress response, increased cortisol and reduced DHEA.
Adrenal hormone levels change dramatically over the course of a lifetime. DHEA levels usually peak in a person's early 20's and then begin rapidly diminishing with age.
At an advanced age, your DHEA levels may have dropped 80-85% from their youthful levels! Cortisol levels, on the other hand, may continue to increase over time. If these two hormones remain chronically "out of sync," it can tax the body's immune system, making a person less able to cope with stress and more susceptible to a wide range of illnesses.
Four saliva samples are used in the Adrenal Stress Index™ for the following ten tests:
- 4 x Cortisol
Helps evaluate stress response - 2 x Insulin
Helps investigate blood sugar control - DHEA
Helps determine stress adaptation - Secretory IgA
Helps evaluate toll on immunity - 17-OH Progesterone
Helps determine adrenal reserve - Gluten Antibodies
Helps identify grain intolerance
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Your health care provider can use the findings in this panel to recommend customized treatment and preventive measures that may include diet and lifestyle changes, hormones, botanicals and vitamins.
- The test is non-invasive and can be performed wherever you are.
- Saliva is collected under real life conditions. There are no stressful blood draws and no gallon sized urine containers to carry around for 24 hours.
- With blood and urine testing, a number of borderline adrenal conditions are missed due to lack of sensitivity. This is not the case with the ASI because samples are taken within one circadian cycle and the more definitive free fraction is measured.
- The Adrenal Stress Index is an in-depth test, such that options for treatment are expanded by 400-500% over serum and urine test results.
After examining your results, your health care practitioner can suggest a therapeutic program to restore DHEA and cortisol to their optimal, beneficial levels. Then use the Adrenal Stress Index to specifically monitor your ongoing progress in the therapy.
- Do you often feel weak and tired, for no apparent reason?
- Are you under chronic stress?
- Do you have trouble getting a night of restful sleep?
- Do you have low sex drive?
- Are you exposed to high noise levels?
- Are you feeling anxious or depressed?
- Do you have menstrual difficulties?
- Are you suffering from joint pain?
- Do you have an eating disorder?
- Have you recently gained or lost weight?
- Do you suffer from ulcers or irritable bowel syndrome?
- Do you have trouble with concentration, memory, or learning?
- Do you suffer from hypertension?
- Are you taking DHEA or pregnenolone supplements without the guidance of a trained physician?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be suffering from an over or under-reactive stress response by your adrenal hormones. You should talk with us about the Adrenal Stress Index and see it it might be helpful for you.
This sample case test shows a 67 year-old female complaining of severe fatigue, digestive problems and insomnia (trouble sleeping). In her particular case, there was stress to the adrenal glands as shown by her depressed amounts of cortisol and DHEA. The test also indicated low levels of 17-OH Progesterone that must be present for cortisol and the female hormones to be produced. Also positive is low secretory IgA which indicates low immune function. And, her test was also positive for gluten sensitivity as well. After 6 months of treatment she responded favorably; her insomnia, fatigue and gastrointestinal problems had greatly improved. Download the entire report at this link (Adobe Acrobat reader is required).
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