Adrenal/Thyroid Imbalance

Click a topic to learn more.

• Adrenal Function Assessment Questionnaire
• Adrenal Glands and Essential Body Function
• Hypothyroidism
• Thyroid Function Assessment Questionnaire
• Stress and Adrenal Dysfunctions

Stress and Adrenal Dysfunctions

Today, perhaps more than ever, our bodies (and minds) are constantly bombarded with stressful situations that trigger adrenal activity. Stress is difficult to define because it is perceived differently by different people. Any change that requires us to adapt causes stress. To a degree, stress is challenging and useful. It is only when stress becomes excessive and chronic that our body becomes unable to adapt and cope. You may remember from biology class that the adrenal glands prepare the body for action when presented with a “fight or flight” situation. This response prepares the body for a physical reaction to a real threat, to either fight or flee. This state of arousal causes our metabolism heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate and muscle tension all to increase. Under this state, a part of our brain activates the sympathetic nervous system to rapidly release epinephrine, norepinephrine and other related hormones to prepare the body for action. This response is necessary in times of emergency, it is inappropriate for us to react this way in response to the stresses of modern living. This is why it becomes imperative for us to find ways to control the harmful aspects of the fight-or-flight response, either through relaxation, positive attitude adjustments, exercising, and eating a healthy diet.

Optimal Stress Management Dependent on Optimal Adrenal Function

It is our adrenal glands that play a critical role in buffering stress, enabling us to exceed our normal endurance limits and then helping us to recover in a reasonable amount of time. The adrenal glands control many bodily functions. An individual with a great deal of stress may experience stress related symptoms such as anxiety, depression, or chronic fatigue. The adrenals also affect your everyday energy, stamina, mood, clarity of thought, circulation, immune function, and resistance to allergies and infection.

The adrenal glands are located on top of the kidneys. Years of continual stress and long term use of corticosteroids, coffee, other stimulants can cause adrenal exhaustion. They often shrink, begin to weaken, and seriously affect our health.

Common sources of stress on our adrenal glands

• Trigger emotions: anger, fear, worry/anxiety, guilt
• Depression
• Overwork (physical or mental strain)
• Late hours/insufficient sleep
• Chronic, severe or prolonged infections
• Surgery
• Trauma/injury
• Excessive exercise
• Temperature extremes
• Toxic exposure
• Chronic inflammation
• Chronic pain
• Chronic and/or severe allergies
• Light cycle disruption (awake at night, asleep during the day – a real problem for those who work at night especially the midnight to 8:00am shift

Symptoms associated with and consequences of adrenal dysfunction

Testing for Adrenal Dysfunction with Adrenal Stress Index Test

At Restore Balance Natural Health Clinic, we offer this most advanced adrenal function test to our patients. It’s a take-home salivary test studying the circadian rhythm of the body, maps out the energy cycle throughout the day, and measures levels of cortisol (stress hormones) to see how you are coping with stress on a regular basis. DHEA level, glycemic regulation (blood sugar balancing ability), immune function indicator, and gluten sensitivity issue are also measured in this test. Please call the clinic at (425) 697-5583 to inquire more about this test.