The adrenal glands are small glands located above the kidneys, but they play a major role in how your body functions. They produce hormones involved in your stress response, blood pressure, blood sugar, metabolism, inflammation and fluid balance.

When adrenal hormone production is disrupted, patients may feel exhausted, weak or simply unlike themselves. However, these symptoms can overlap with thyroid problems, hormone imbalances, anemia, medication side effects, poor sleep and many other conditions. That is why proper testing matters.

Symptoms That May Need Further Evaluation

Symptoms associated with low cortisol or adrenal insufficiency may include:

• Persistent fatigue or weakness
• Dizziness or low blood pressure
• Unexplained weight loss or decreased appetite
• Nausea, vomiting or abdominal discomfort
• Salt cravings
• Low blood sugar
• Muscle aches
• Changes in mood or difficulty handling physical stress
• Darkening of the skin in some cases

True adrenal insufficiency is a medical condition that can become serious if it is not diagnosed and treated correctly.

Testing Adrenal Function

At Recharge Clinic, we do not assume every case of fatigue is an adrenal problem. Our experienced medical team evaluates the full picture, which may include symptoms, medical history, current medications and laboratory testing.

Depending on the patient, testing may include:

• Morning cortisol
• ACTH
• Electrolytes and blood sugar
• DHEA-S
• Thyroid and sex hormones
• Vitamin and iron levels
• Additional adrenal testing when medically appropriate

Diagnosis should be based on appropriate medical testing rather than symptoms alone.

How Adrenal Concerns May Be Treated

Treatment depends entirely on what testing shows and what is contributing to the patient’s symptoms.

Lifestyle and Nutritional Support

When a patient does not have true adrenal insufficiency but is struggling with stress, poor sleep, nutritional deficiencies or other factors affecting energy and recovery, treatment may include:

• Improving sleep and stress management
• Eating regularly and maintaining proper hydration
• Correcting vitamin, mineral or iron deficiencies
• Addressing thyroid, hormone or blood-sugar concerns
• Reviewing medications that may affect cortisol production
• Carefully selected adrenal or nutritional supplements when appropriate

Supplements are not a replacement for cortisol when true adrenal insufficiency is present. Patients should also avoid choosing random “adrenal support” products on their own because supplement quality and ingredients vary, and some products have been found to contain undeclared thyroid or steroid hormones.

Prescription Treatment

When laboratory testing confirms that the body is not producing enough cortisol, a provider may prescribe oral hydrocortisone or another glucocorticoid medication to replace what the body is missing. Patients with certain forms of primary adrenal insufficiency may also require medication to replace aldosterone.

Prescription treatment must be individualized and carefully monitored. Hydrocortisone should not be started casually for general fatigue because unnecessary or excessive steroid use can cause significant side effects and may suppress the body’s natural cortisol production.

Experienced Adrenal Care at Recharge Clinic

Recharge Clinic is experienced in evaluating fatigue, hormone imbalances and possible adrenal dysfunction. We take the time to determine whether symptoms are related to cortisol, thyroid function, sex hormones, nutritional deficiencies, medication use, stress or another underlying issue.

Your treatment plan may involve supplements, nutritional support, lifestyle changes, correction of other hormone imbalances or prescription hydrocortisone when testing confirms that it is medically necessary.

Schedule a free consultation below with Recharge Clinic for a thorough evaluation and an individualized plan to help you feel your best.

Did You Know?

Recharge Clinic is a full-service medical clinic, not just a hormone clinic. In addition to hormone therapy, we offer Direct Primary Care, Quick Care, telehealth appointments, in-house lab testing, weight-loss care, IV therapy and more—making it easier to receive personalized care in one convenient place.