The original, life-saving role of the adrenal glands
"To understand how adrenal fatigue develops, it is important to understand the original, evolutionary function of the adrenal glands. The adrenals are walnut-sized glands located on top of each kidney, and are important control centers for many of the body’s hormones. The outer layer of the gland, called the adrenal cortex, produces hormones including cortisol, DHEA, estrogen and testosterone. The centers of the glands produce adrenaline, the hormone named after them.
The basic task of your adrenal glands is to rush all your body’s resources into "fight or flight" mode by increasing production of adrenaline and other hormones. When healthy, your adrenals can instantly increase your heart rate and blood pressure, release your energy stores for immediate use, slow your digestion and other secondary functions, and sharpen your senses.
Let’s emphasize two points about this healthy stress response. First, it takes priority over all other metabolic functions. Second, it wasn’t designed to last very long".
Adrenal fatigue, Women to Women,
http://www.womentowomen.com/adrenalfatigue/effectsofhighcortisol.aspx#healthyadrenals
"A chronic imbalance between adrenal stimulation and cortisol and/or DHEA output is associated with a multitude of both clinical and subclinical systemic disorders. Chronically depressed DHEA output results in an imbalance in sex hormones. Abnormal cortisol and/or DHEA values (either elevated or depressed) result in a decrease in the activity of the immunocytes that produce secretory IgA (sIgA). SIgA provides a mucosal first-line immune defense against virtually every pathogen, including parasites, protozoa, yeasts, fungi, bacteria, and viruses. SIgA also provides a normal immune response to regularly encountered food proteins. Dysfunctional mucosal immunity is associated with an increased risk of infections and of adverse food reactions".
"In the presence of stressors, the body almost immediately attempts to increase cortisol levels. This increase is associated with both endocrine and autonomic responses in preparing the body to defend itself normally. However, elevated cortisol levels for extended periods negatively affect virtually every aspect of physiology. For example, it becomes more difficult to maintain proper blood sugar levels; to slow down for rest, recovery, and repair; to get good quality sleep; to balance other hormones; to maintain mucosal immune integrity; to maintain bone mass, to produce effective general immune function; to effectively regulate inflammatory processes; or to detoxify the body. Without proper intervention, continued high adrenal stimulation can lead to adrenal exhaustion and lowered cortisol levels. Eventually adrenal or cardiac failure can occur".
"Cortisol, which is best known for stimulating gluconeogenesis, is essential for normal glycogenolysis. Cortisol affects the heart, vasculature, blood pressure, water excretion, and electrolyte balance. It mobilizes protein stores in all tissues except the liver; it mobilizes fatty acids from adipose; it is the precursor of cortisone and acts as an anti-inflammatory; and it is the primary hormone directing immune function. Cortisol can stimulate or inhibit gene transcription, promote apoptosis, and affect bone metabolism and calcium dynamics. It affects behavior, mood, neural activity, and a variety of central nervous system biochemical processes. Cortisol affects the eyes, gastrointestinal tract, reproductive function, and the production and clearance of other classes of hormones. It is a major marker of the complex control loops regulating the sex hormones. The general effect of excess cortisol is usually stimulatory and catabolic; a deficiency of cortisol usually results in a slowing of physiology".
"Clinical Use
The degree and timing of cortisol imbalances provide the healthcare professional with valuable insights into the nature of causative stressors, and allow the practitioner to formulate remedial protocols. Readily identifiable inducers of increased adrenal stimulation include stressors such as tissue damage, inflammation, pain, and mental or emotional stress. Other significant physiological stressors can be subclinical, and include intolerance to the gliadin fraction of gluten protein, lactose or sucrose intolerance, glycemic dysregulation, delayed food sensitivity, and infection with viruses, bacteria parasites and/or other pathogens. Additional testing may be necessary to rule out the possibility of these and other factors interfering with digestion and absorption and creating inflammation and stress on adrenal glands. These types of problems could impede absorption and assimilation of essential nutrients, and the maintenance of normal blood sugar. Chronic dysfunction of any of these processes is a sufficient cause of adrenal exhaustion. Physiological pathways, organs, or systems identified as being the major cause of some other disorder may concurrently serve as causative agents in adrenal exhaustion. In most cases, regardless of the priority given to another pathway, organ, or system as being dysfunctional--and virtually regardless of the condition identified--adrenal exhaustion resulting from excessive stress must be addressed and rectified in order to restore normal physiology or function".
Biohealth Diagnostics
http://www.biodia.com/testing/test201_adrenal_stress_profile.html
Here is where I ordered my home kit from at the request of my doctor.
You pay and get the results sent to your doctor.
My Test Results
Above is my cortisol levels - Three of them are out of normal range and one is within normal range. The second one which was about 11 am was within normal range. Here is what they had to say about my levels;
" The morning cortisol (7am) is above the normal range. This may be a reflection of low night time blood sugar levels, insomnia, chronic pain, inflammation, glycogen storage impairment or an imbalance in the hypothalmic adrenal axis.
The afternoon cortisol (3pm) is above the normal range. This may be indicative of blood glucose counter rehulation process or stress Action: Keep blood sugar levels stable.
The midnight cortisol level is above normal range. This may be suggestive of malfunctioning of the hypothalmic adrenal axis feedback system. This is associated with REM sleep disruptions and depression".
They said there was no deviations in DHEA production.
So this certainly explains some of my sleep problems. My doc said that I am stuck in "Fight or Flight" response. Maybe I haven't been resting as much as I should be. As for outside stress - well, I don't get stressed very often, but when I do it's usually over money or non-sufferers reactions to ME/CFS. My doc said there is a lot of physiological stress, like toxicity, viruses, etc... So I am going to have to try to detox more. He suggested I buy an Infra-red home sauna, which I will look into when I can afford it. This also explains why I have no tolerance for stress and when I do get stressed why I loose control and can't seem to calm down for hours. He has also put me on Neuro - PS, before lunch and dinner.
In relation to keeping the blood sugar level up, I have been reading a bit about that;
First and foremost: timing your meals and snacks
"One thing I often tell my patients is to never allow themselves to get too hungry. Low blood sugar by itself puts stress on your body and can tax your adrenals. You may not realize that your body is in constant need of energy — even as you sleep. And the primary adrenal hormone cortisol serves as a kind of moderator in making sure your blood sugar between meals, especially during the night, stays adequate. It does this by signaling to the liver to release its stored sugar, glycogen, when there isn’t food on board. Long periods without food make the adrenals work harder by requiring them to release more cortisol to keep your body functioning normally. So eating three nutritious meals and two to three snacks that are well-timed throughout the day is one way to balance your blood sugar and lessen the adrenal burden".
"Here are some other simple ways to gently support your body’s natural cortisol cycle:
If possible, eat breakfast by 8:00 AM or within an hour of getting up (earlier is better), to restore blood sugar levels after using glycogen stores at night.
Try to eat lunch between 11:00 AM and 12:00 noon. Your morning meal can be used up quickly.
Eat a nutritious snack between 2:00 and 3:00 PM to get you through the natural dip in cortisol around 3:00 or 4:00 in the afternoon.
Make an effort to eat dinner around 5:00 or 6:00 PM, and make this your lightest meal of the day".
Adrenal fatigue, Women to Women,
http://www.womentowomen.com/adrenalfatigue/effectsofhighcortisol.aspx#healthyadrenals
So that's it for now people. I will be trying my best to get my cortisol levels down...
I hope you're all well...
Treya : )
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