Adrenal fatigue is difficult to diagnose because it is not considered a real condition. In a way, this is true, yet there are symptoms in which we recognize when one is experiencing high levels of stress and over stimulating the adrenals, which in turn can lead to complications down the line. This is what “adrenal fatigue” really is, and it looks like chronic stress, whether it be mental, physical, environmental, etc., leading to hormones going out of whack, particularly cortisol, in which can either be in a surplus, or irregular levels.
Your adrenals are right above your kidneys and despite the fact that they are small, they are POWERFUL. They produce over 50 hormones in the body, so if they don’t work or get tired, you’re going to feel it. Our hormones are sensitive flowers. They work in a symphony or rhythms, and if we come in with a drum, they flip and don’t work. When our bodies go under a stress such as lack of sleep, under fueling or poor nutrition, over exercising, food sensitivities, surgery, prolonged use of stimulants (including coffee or other energy drinks), poor mental health, or just illness in general, it exhausts our reserves.
Symptoms of adrenal fatigue are:
Low blood pressure: Cortisol and aldosterone regulate b/p, and when the adrenals are over taxed, both of them are low, unable to support you
Blood sugar irregularities: Aside from insulin, cortisol also helps with blood sugar balance, which in turn helps with cravings. When cortisol is not being produced when needed, our energy comes in waves and can lead to odd hunger signals.
Sleep disturbances: Cortisol should be highest in the morning and dip in the evening to allow melatonin to rise and help you sleep. If your adrenals aren’t producing cortisol well, this cycle is most likely disturbed.
Craving salt/sweet: Our adrenals balance our electrolytes, thus use up a lot of sodium and potassium in our bodies. Conversely, as mentioned before, when over worked, our insulin drops, as well as cortisol, which in turn can lead to cravings. This is a sign our bodies need nutrients.
Weight gain:  Particularly in the abdomen area, we tend to gain “stubborn fat” as a safety net when we’re stressed. This is because we have many cortisol receptors in that areas that store energy, and our bodies unconsciously protect that area for this is where many of our vital organs lay.
Imbalanced hormones: Your adrenals produce many sex hormones, and you’re stressed, it most likely won’t be prioritizing reproduction over trying to protect your body, which in turn can lower hormonal levels.