The adrenal glands can be compared to energising batteries in our body and have 2 separate parts - the medulla and the cortex. If your adrenal glands are under functioning, you are likely to feel physically and mentally tired. Long term stress or illness inevitably lead to some degree of adrenal gland exhaustion.

The Adrenal Medulla

The medulla is the soft center of the glands, manufactures adrenalin and secretes this neurotransmitter into the blood stream where it is carried to all parts of the body. The adrenal medulla produces adrenalin continually to regulate heart rate and blood pressure and to stimulate our nervous system. If your adrenals are unable to produce adequate adrenalin levels, you will feel fatigued and probably depressed- just like a flat battery!

Conversely if your adrenals manufacture excess adrenalin you will feel like an over charged battery - your blood pressure and heart rate increases, you feel ready for fight or flight and may become restless. This is fantastic if you are just about to enter a competitive sport game or need to fight to survive, but not if you are trying to relax on the weekend. Some people crave stimulants such as nicotine or caffeine because these substances cause the adrenal glands to pump out more adrenalin.

The Adrenal Cortex

The adrenal cortex is quite different tissue to the adrenal medulla and manufactures steroid hormones from cholesterol. The cortex turns cholesterol into the hormone pregnenolone, which is then turned into cortisol, DHEA, and aldosterone, amongst other steroid hormones. Cortisol reduces inflammation in the body and DHEA makes us physically and mentally more robust. DHEA is also known as the 'youth hormone"

The adrenal glands are very high in fat and fat is easily oxidized by free radicals; thus, our adrenal glands are vulnerable to damage from many causes.

I call our adrenal glands our "survival glands" and we need to support them if we want an energetic, healthy, and happy life.

What are the symptoms of adrenal gland malfunction?

  • Fatigue, often worse in the mornings
  • Depression, particularly in the mornings
  • Low blood pressure can be present
  • Dizziness and light headedness
  • Excess inflammation anywhere in the body which may manifest as fibromyalgia, or other painful conditions
  • More allergies
  • Low mood
  • Low blood sugar levels
  • Cravings for sugar and high carb foods
  • Abdominal pains, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea - this is more common in severe failure of adrenal glands
  • More severe reactions to infections 

How to check your adrenal glands

It is easy to check the function of your adrenal glands - a blood test to measure cortisol levels in the morning and evening are done as well as levels of the hormone DHEA. If the cortisol levels are found to be below the normal range, a specialised test is done to exclude adrenal failure. If the cortisol levels are within the normal range but are at the lower limit of the normal range, we can diagnose adrenal malfunction. Adrenal malfunction needs to be monitored as it can progress to adrenal failure. Endocrinologists treat adrenal failure with synthetic steroids namely prednisolone and fludrocortisone and this is lifesaving.

In mild cases lower doses of bio-identical hydrocortisone such as 4 to 8mg can be used with benefit.

Adrenal malfunction can be caused by -

  • Chronic stress especially post traumatic stress disorder
  • Chronic insomnia
  • Heavy smoking
  • Alcoholism
  • Aging
  • Hardening of the arteries that supply blood to the adrenal glands
  • Diabetes

Adrenal gland dysfunction of mild to moderate degree is much more common than adrenal gland failure and can produce crippling fatigue if left untreated. Adrenal failure is not common and can be caused by -

  • Autoimmune disease where your immune system destroys your adrenal glands (this is known as Addison's disease).
  • Cancer or benign tumours of the adrenal glands
  • Hemorrhage into the adrenal glands
  • Toxic shock caused by septicaemia

Supplements can boost adrenal gland function

Vitamin C in a dose of 2,000mg daily. Vitamin C is very protective of the adrenal glands. In the body, the highest concentrations of vitamin C are found in the adrenal and pituitary glands and that is because these fatty glands are prone to damage. The body stores vitamin C in these glands because it knows they need to be protected. Yes, the body knows these are our survival glands.

Magnesium in a dose of 200 to 400mg daily improves adrenal function as Magnesium is needed for adrenal cell enzymes to work.

Selenomune is a supplement designed to help all the cells in your body and will support better immune and adrenal gland function. Selenomune can also help to repair cell damage in the adrenal glands. Dose is one capsule daily. See our free e book - selenium the great protector

DHEA (Dehydro-Epiandrosterone) can help people with adrenal gland exhaustion. It is a natural adrenal hormone produced by the adrenal cortex. DHEA boosts physical and mental energy and has anti-aging properties. In some countries DHEA is only available on prescription but is a very safe hormone. Some governments erroneously classify DHEA as an anabolic steroid, and I disagree with this. Doses of DHEA vary from 10 to 25mg taken in the morning.

Adrenal Glandular Extract – the Liverdoctor brand of Natural Adrenal Glandular material is derived from government-inspected, range-fed animals, raised in New Zealand and Australia. This supplement provides the full spectrum of adrenal hormones which are identical to human adrenal hormones. Dose is one capsule in the middle of breakfast.

Here is a case of a patient who nearly died from a severe case of adrenal gland failure.

The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not Intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.