Plate IV · Managing Stress & Energy

Adrenal Health & Cortisol

Your adrenal glands produce cortisol and other hormones vital for stress response and energy. Learn about adrenal fatigue and support strategies.

Overview

The adrenal glands sit atop your kidneys and produce cortisol (the stress hormone), DHEA, and other hormones crucial for energy, immune function, and stress management. Chronic stress can affect adrenal function.

Observed presentations

Signs & symptoms.

  • 01Chronic fatigue
  • 02Difficulty waking up
  • 03Afternoon energy crashes
  • 04Increased stress sensitivity
  • 05Salt or sugar cravings
  • 06Weakened immunity
  • 07Brain fog

Sections in Plate IV

  1. ISection

    The Stress Response

    Cortisol is your body's primary stress hormone, helping you respond to challenges. However, chronic stress can lead to dysregulated cortisol patterns, contributing to fatigue, weight gain, and other health issues.

  2. IISection

    Adrenal Support Formulations

    We can create customised adrenal support supplements containing adaptogenic herbs, vitamins, and minerals that support healthy cortisol rhythms and energy production. DHEA supplementation may also be appropriate for some individuals.

  3. IIISection

    Testing and Assessment

    Salivary cortisol testing throughout the day can reveal your unique cortisol pattern, helping guide personalised treatment. We can work with your practitioner to interpret results and formulate appropriate support.

Common questions

Questions, asked often.

  • While "adrenal fatigue" isn't a recognised medical diagnosis, it describes a collection of symptoms related to chronic stress and dysregulated cortisol patterns. The adrenal glands don't actually become "fatigued," but cortisol rhythm can become disrupted, leading to fatigue, poor stress tolerance, and other symptoms.
  • Common signs include difficulty waking up, afternoon energy crashes, feeling "wired but tired" at night, poor stress tolerance, and relying on caffeine or sugar for energy. Salivary cortisol testing throughout the day (typically 4 samples) can reveal your unique cortisol pattern and guide treatment.
  • Hydrocortisone can be prescribed and compounded for specific adrenal insufficiency conditions. However, most adrenal support focuses on adaptogens (herbs that help regulate stress response), DHEA supplementation, and lifestyle modifications rather than direct cortisol replacement.
  • Recovery time varies depending on severity and duration of stress. Many people notice improvements within 1-3 months of consistent treatment and lifestyle changes. Complete recovery can take 6-18 months. The key is addressing the root causes of chronic stress while supporting your body's natural cortisol rhythm.
  • Key strategies include stress management (meditation, deep breathing), consistent sleep schedule, regular moderate exercise (avoiding over-training), balanced blood sugar through regular meals, reducing caffeine, and incorporating adaptogenic herbs. These lifestyle factors are often more important than supplements alone.

After this plate

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Notice to the reader

Educational, not prescriptive.

Hormone therapy requires medical supervision. This plate is reviewed by our pharmacy team but isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice. Speak with your prescriber before beginning, altering, or stopping any hormone therapy.