Questions about weight loss with Adrenal Fatigue
Danalynn39
Posts: 38
Hi, I have a question about something I just started on. Recently I decided to go see a Naturpath on the suggestion of multiple coworkers. I used to be able to workout on a regular basis. Then went to where my joints were so bad from RA that I could barely work. And even within the past 2 months within 30min of arriving at work I would have to lay down for an hour. I had no energy and lethargic. I learned that she had thought I had Adrenal Fatigue and wanted to do testing which was 100.00 that I didn't have at the time. I was also spending it in Co-Pays for docs appts. So I have since gone through a mild surgery to remove a cyst, D&C and now went to natural store and bought some Adrenal Fatigue. I am now on my 3rd week back in the gym. I'm working with a personal trainer to get back going. He actually has me doing some pretty good lifting and said I'm still in good shape which was good. My question is has anyone ever suffered similiar symptoms with difficulty losing. In fact I have gained a large amount of weight. But right now at 3 weeks I've not seen the scale move alot. I do feel a little more tone. But should I be concerned? Sorry for the long post. I appreciate any helpful comments. (BTW..Did I mention I also no longer require work naps..yay!)
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Adrenal fatigue is psuedoscience - it's not real. It's a scam used to sell products and keep fake doctors in business.
There is a reason they are a naturpath and not a doctor - they have no evidence or proof for the rubbish they spout. If any of it were true, it'd just be dealt with by normal doctors.
If you have real symptoms, see a doctor - but the most likely things are you are not getting enough sleep, or you are eating far too little (unlikely, but possible). Anything you take that isn't proven in placebo-controlled studies will just give you the placebo effect, if anything. Don't waste your money on it - or, for that matter, risk your health by ignoring symptoms that might need *real* treatment.0 -
So most likely the 25.00 copay and 15.00 I spent did nothing but empty my pocketbook as usual. That stinks. I was hoping to find anything. I guess at this point I am happy to have the results I'm getting back in the gym. I'll get a check up and keep seeing where things go. My eating has improved. I'm cleaning that up. Eating every few hours. And getting regular sleep. Appreciate your input.0
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Have you ever had a cortisol test performed by a reputable doctor? If not, I would not take any supplements before doing so!0
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Adrenal fatigue, the actual disease, is real but is only diagnosed via cortisol level being drawn through blood.0
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I have not. I thought it was. And didn't understand the response. But have never had any tests. That must be the test they want to do?0
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You wouldn't happen to be drinking diet cokes would you?0
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You could do more harm than good by taking supplements for "I think I have this condition." Please be careful!0
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Adrenal fatigue, the actual disease, is real but is only diagnosed via cortisol level being drawn through blood.
I think you are talking about adrenal insufficiency, something completely different and a legitimate medical condition. The two, despite confusingly similar names, are completely disparate, and if you had adrenal insufficiency, a (real) doctor would pick up on it very quickly, and no supposed 'treatment' of adrenal fatigue would help.
Of course, adrenal insufficiency is usually caused by tumors or auto-immune diseases, and is rare, it's highly unlikely you have such a thing, although if worried, as always, consult a (real) doctor.0 -
This is interesting to get the clarification between the two. I will make another appointment with a medical doctor. Since I just had a cyst removed and I also have been diagnosed and am being treated for Rhematoid Arthritis (which is a autoimmune). So this makes total sense. And the other question from someone else, no- I do not drink soda. I do tend to drink a coffee in the morning and/or tea. But I'm not really a soda person in diet or regular. I have also made changes to decrease my dairy and gluten. Which has helped some too. And trying to watch sugars.0
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I believe it's specifically Addison's disease which causes adrenal insufficiency, not all autoimmune diseases - that said, getting checked out by a (real) doctor is never a bad thing, and if you do have symptoms, it's worth finding out if they are a sign of a problem.
Arthritis could be a cause though - lack of activity can cause tiredness, so if you have joint pain that stops you from being active, that could be a cause. It may be worth looking into activity that you can do without triggering joint pain, and see if that helps.
Of course, the disclaimer: I'm not a doctor - check what your doc thinks and I'm sure it'll work out.
In general, just don't put any weight on anything the alternative medicine people say - they are always in it just to charge you (or sell you some supplement/supposed treatment) - as the saying goes, if it worked it would just be medicine - as soon as it's called 'alternative medicine' it's clear it just flat out doesn't work (or it's just the same thing as normal medicine - sure, some root might well contain the same drug you can get in a pill - the reality is the pill is probably cheaper and with the pills, you can ensure you get the correct dosage).0 -
Thank you Gareth. These answers help more than you know. I for sure will follow up with a actual "medical" doctor vs. the alternative medicine type. Appreciate yours and everyone's input!0
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Glad to help - it sucks that there people are willing to prey on people's health. Good luck in the future.
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Adrenal fatigue is absolutely a real condition. I am in severe adrenal fatigue right now and struggling. I have always been very active, in extremely good shape and even after having two babies, I went right back down to my pre pregnancy weight and was in a great place. Over time, I had some chronic stress in my life and became extremely fatigue, weak and could barely function. After seeing many doctors that were no use I started seeing a integrative medical doctor. They are the best. They tested all my hormones, thyroid (T4,T3 and RT3) as well as my cortisol levels and I had a STIM test to check for Addison's disease. This was ALL covered under insurance.
My results came back that cortisol levels are very low. This has caused my thyroid to not function properly and my other hormones to not function properly.
There is a ton of info out there about adrenal fatigue but most western doctors do not think it's a real condition. True doctors that have studied this know better. Send me a message if you want more info on this an I can direct you to some wonderful websites. It's a horrible condition and I am still struggling but I can tell you I am in a MUCH better place then I was a year ago.
If you go and see a "regular" doctor be prepared for them to tell you that you are fine. I almost ended up in the hospital because of very bad advice from many "actual" doctors. I was so bad last year I could not take care of my children. I have thyroid disease and regular doctors only check THS. I had mine checked and they said my thyroid is functioning properly. I went to an integrative doctor (also an actual medical doctor) and they checked TSH, T4, T3 and RT3 and come to find out I have extreme hypothyroid. I started taking medicine and completely came back to life. But, because of all those years of being undiagnosed, my adrenals have failed and I am for sure getting much better but still working on cortisol levels. They are finally getting there.
There are tons of support groups out there. I follow the Stop the thyroid madness protocol. Look it up on google. Good luck! Don't let anyone tell you what you are feeling is not real or it's in your head. You know your body and if something does not feel right to you, follow your instincts. I really do not think I would be here right now if I listened to those doctors.
ETA; you can get cortisol levels drawn by blood but the best way to determine adrenal fatigue is a saliva test done 4x in one day on day 21 of your cycle. It does cost about $100 because insurance will not cover it.0 -
Adrenal fatigue?
Oh! So now I have another ism/ology to add to my woes do I?
And there I was thinking that my CFS and chronic anaemia plus the stress of my job was the the problem. But no.... according to all of the self help, non-medical doctor sites I have adrenal fatigue!
So what do I do? How do I survive? Oh! I carry on doing what I am doing, manage the anaemia, manage the stress, avoid stuff that makes the CFS worse and the adrenal fatigue will be cured.
So, erm, that makes it a symptom then? Not a cause of illness but the ramifications of other conditions.
I'll continue dealing with the root cause I think.0 -
Not sure what you are trying to say. I was diagnosed from a true MD. Actually one of the best in the area and he has helps hundreds of people with thyroid disease, adrenal fatigue and hormone issues. Before I was diagnosed I had to get on Prozac because my depression and anxiety was so bad I was scared to leave the house, I had major panic attacks and I could not get out of bed.
After seeing my doctor, I am totally off Prozac, zero depression and zero anxiety.
Chronic stress causes the adrenals to fail putting you into adrenal fatigue and if not treated eventually adrenal insufficiency. Everyone one is different but I had zero medical conditions. I mean nothing at all and Adrenal fatigue came on from chronic stress.0 -
Sorry chrissy,
I got sidetracked reading the self aggrandising witch doctor sites.
As you said, chronic stress seems to be the most common cause and treating the stress will also treat the adrenal fatigue.
My own handful of health problems means I am probably a shoo in for adrenal fatigue, but it is certain that continuing to treat my CFS and anaemia will also treat that - but the witch doctor sites seemed to want my money!
Getting of prozac must have been like being set free - congratulations.0 -
Gotchya! It is so frustrating, I know. Thank you for your words. Yes, I knew something was wrong because I have never suffered from depression or anxiety before and it hit me like a ton of bricks. I was given some very ill advice and finally found a doctor that gave me the answers. After 4 years! UGH0
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Adrenal Fatigue is simply not a real condition - 'most western doctors do not think it's a real condition' - it's not 'western', it's 'real'. Modern science is rigorous and a well defined process. Any medicine that works is not 'alternative medicine', it's 'medicine'. This stuff isn't real, otherwise real doctors would be working with it.
Yes, you might think that you had it and the treatments worked for you. However, you are being scammed by a professional scam artist, and the placebo effect is a very well documented thing. There is a reason why medicine has to pass placebo controlled trials - it ensures they actually work, and are not just expensive (and potentially dangerous) sugar pills.
Yes, you may have issues - it's possible that your concern over feeling bad caused excessive stress, which pushed you to feel even worse. When you had any treatment - the placebo effect kicked in, and you felt a little better, breaking the cycle and allowing you to return to normality. Perhaps you had a real medical issue - that potentially you are ignoring due to this 'treatment'.
Western doctors have no reason to try and deny treatments or illnesses that exist. Medicine is a field that has been developed for a long time - and yes, some ancient treatments work - many of the pills you take today are just purified, exact dosage versions of those ancient treatments. If things work, they become a part of medicine.
If something is 'alternative medicine' then ask yourself, why is it not just 'medicine'? Is it more likely that the entire modern medical world just wants people to suffer, or that it's not real and there are a few people out there trying to scam you?0 -
Hi..it could be your thyroid. A simple doctors visit and blood test will determine that for you. I have had a low thyroid for 8 years, meds help but still struggle with weight. Hope this helps.0
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Well.... having being sceptical I did some reading in the medical library at Bristol University - not a place to find hoodoo, I think you will agree.
And whilst the term adrenal fatigue is not accepted or recognised the effects most certainly are. It is widely accepted that there are many other conditions, thyroid, anaemia, chronic stress being the main ones, that weaken the adrenal glands. They may even be a Catch 22 cause/effect of insulin resistance, given their job that only seems reasonable.
Western/real science does not focus on it as a disease/condition in its own right as it is always a comorbidity of another condition, Dealing with that prime condition also allows the adrenal gland to recuperate and, like diabetes II, it can be reversed with appropriate diet, exercise and whatever medication the prime condition requires.
Apart form the side effects of some common drugs, even injury, exhaustion can deplete the adrenal gland to the point were effects are experienced. And that is over and above specific conditions like Addisons.
It is not as cut and dried, monster shouting mythology as it seems. So, whilst I am not rushing off to find myself a potion or a cure, I am mindful of the possibilities. As I said before, continuing to treat the conditions I have been diagnosed with will also treat any adrenal deficiency I may be experiencing and, for me, that is enough.0 -
Chrissy, your story is basically my story so I won't elaborate too much. I've been being treated for adrenal fatigue for 3 yrs. My doc is a "real" doc who also deals in "alternative" medicine. I was basically bedridden and could hardly function at all because my cortisol levels were so low. Adrenal Fatigue is most definitely real and I was glad to see your post. I wish you all the best in your recovery.
@ Gareth - Not to be rude, but I really think you should save your strong opinions for something that you personally know about, which obviously is not adrenal fatigue.0 -
I do know about it - as much as a person can know about something that isn't real.
I do also have 'strong opinions' - because seeing people being ripped off and mislead enrages me - it's unfair on them and it could actually cause them health problems.
I don't think you are a shill for the industry - I imagine you are just someone who has been taken in by these swindlers and is now, unfortunately, trying to convince others to follow you down the rabbit hole. Please, look at the evidence (not just that given to you by these scam artists and related sites - look up the real scientific evaluation of this stuff) and think long and hard before you try and get others to fall for the scam as well.
The reality is that adrenal fatigue is the horoscope of diseases. Just as horoscopes give vague and common descriptions of personality and experiences, so that they apply to everyone, the symptoms of adrenal fatigue are just a list of things commonly caused by other diseases and just by everyday life for a busy person. It is designed so that lots of people will look at a list of symptoms and believe they have it, so supplements can be sold to them.
I also greatly urge anyone who would say that modern medicine or the scientific method misses things to reconsider. The scientific method has been developed over a long period of time to produce provable, repeatable results. We use it because it works. Modern medicine works on the basis that if we claim something, we must back it up with evidence that supports it. We must show that our claims are valid. We use it because it works. Please don't believe the scam artists.
Also, if you want to say that I am wrong, please show me a peer-reviewed paper that documents the cause and details adrenal fatigue, along with a placebo-controlled study showing the treatment works - that is the minimum level of evidence needed for medicine to be real - because anything else simply means that it doesn't work.
http://www.hormone.org/hormones-and-health/myth-vs-fact/adrenal-fatigue
A few extracts:
“Adrenal fatigue” is not a real medical condition. There are no scientific facts to support the theory that long-term mental, emotional, or physical stress drains the adrenal glands and causes many common symptoms.
Supplements and vitamins made to “treat” adrenal fatigue may not be safe. Taking these supplements when you don’t need them can cause your adrenal glands to stop working and may put your life in danger.
Doctors urge you not to waste precious time accepting an unproven diagnosis such as “adrenal fatigue” if you feel tired, weak, or depressed. If you have these symptoms, you may have adrenal insufficiency, depression, obstructive sleep apnea, or other health problems. Getting a real diagnosis is very important to help you feel better and overcome your health problem.0 -
These replies frustrate me on so many levels. I am suffering from adrenal fatigue and it is a real condition. I was diagnosed by a fully qualified MD/GP (depending on where you're from) who went through medical school like every other doctor out there but who also complements this traditional training with non-traditional therapies where he sees a failing in western medicine. He is not a witch doctor, he is an open-minded doctor and a doctor that has managed to transform the life of my mother and myself beyond recognition. I was diagnosed through cortisol tests, amongst other things. This doctor 100% believes in the brilliance that is western medicine, however, he also sees its limits and seeks to address them.
The reason why adrenal fatigue is not recognised by western medicine is because it is not taught at medical school (so why would your average doctor diagnose you with something they have probably never heard of?) however research will show you that adrenal fatigue was well documented in traditional medical literature before the 1950s, aka, before the medical industry became driven by giant pharmaceutical companies. The remedy for adrenal fatigue is not profitable and therefore not worthwhile. Rest, better diet, melatonin/dhea supplements, vit c, some herbs etc etc don't really bring in the big bucks. Yes, some people may market 'adrenal tablets' and stuff out there but the profits and scale is really laughable. I say give it 10-15 years and this condition will be a lot more widely recognised by regular MD/GPs.
Best of luck with your weight loss! My understanding is that exercise is great for you while trying to give your adrenals a chance to recover but remember to listen to your body and not push yourself too far. I agree with the comments suggesting it could be related to your thyroid. My thyroid was ****ed up a bit from my adrenal problems but has since normalised. Perhaps get that tested? You could be low in iodine too - but make sure you test that before adding extra iodine into your diet! Too much can be as bad as too little.0 -
@ Clare - You have explained adrenal fatigue very well, so I will not write all about it as I had planned. You are exactly right in the things you've said and hopefully more doctors will begin to understand Adrenal Fatigue in a deeper way in the near future. It sounds like you have a great doctor who truly understands and who is helping you to recover. I also am blessed with a very good doctor who has been priceless in my recovery process. I hope that you continue to get better.0
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@ GarethLosing - I'm sorry, but I must disagree with all that you've said. Sadly, I know firsthand about Adrenal Fatigue because I have been living with it for 10 yrs. now and being treated for it for 3 yrs. As I stated in my previous post, I did get diagnosed by a REAL doctor. She is a D.O., which has the same training as an M.D., except D.O.'s actually receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system, which make up the muscles and bones of a person. So, my doctor tested my adrenals and thyroid and I have had major issues with both. She is treating both. I am on prescription medication for both. My adrenal function was so low that I almost could not function; therefore I have been on cortisol replacement for the last 3 yrs while my adrenals heal. I am getting better slowly but surely.
I suppose Adrenal Fatigue might be the precursor to Addison's Disease where the adrenals just totally stop functioning. It seems that the typical doctor out there will not test for this until there is actually a reason to suspect actual Addison's Disease. That's too bad because so many people could be helped before totally hitting the rock bottom of total adrenal failure or adrenal insufficiency as you called it, which I suppose is Addison's Disease.
I did read the article at the link you posted. I agree that many people might think they have adrenal fatigue based on a list of symptoms and trying to treat something without knowing could be unproductive. However, the article is wrong in that there are actually tests for adrenal function, which is what my doctor did for me and how she came up with a treatment plan. The OP said that the Naturopath wanted to do testing on her, but she didn't have the money. I'm not sure what testing the Naturopath would have done since he/she is not a doctor, but at least some kind of testing was going to be involved. So the OP decided on her own to go out and purchase a supplement for adrenal fatigue. Thankfully, she seems to have responded well and she is working out, having some energy, and not needing naps. Personally, I believe that many physical issues that people have are coming from adrenal fatigue but they just don't know it. I have read many articles where it is believed that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia result from Adrenal Fatigue. You may not agree, and that's fine, but those articles are no different than the one that you posted. I will not post a placebo controlled study because I do not have the time to search for all of that. It may or may not exist, but it doesn't matter to me and it probably doesn't matter to anyone else on this forum who knows that they have Adrenal Fatigue. I do respect your opinion, but it is just that, an opinion0 -
Adrenal fatigue is NOT a recognized disease. Some doctors (MDs) may have used the phrase while explaining your condition, just to make it simpler, but it is NOT a recognized disease. Adrenal insufficiency and Addison's disease are REAL conditions. Anyone else who has "adrenal fatigued" is just really, really stressed.
I was also having a hard time with low energy and lethargy, strangly enough also following surgery to remove a cyst. At first my doctors just assumed it was because I was very iron deficient, but when the iron pills didn't work, I got told maybe I was just depressed (I was not!), then maybe Chronic Fatigue Syndrom (which is also controversial) and finally, I had my cortisol levels tested. Three times! It turns out my cortisol was super high, though I don't have Cushing's, I probably have/had pseudo-cushings from an illness, probably an infection I had even before my surgery.
Anyway, you may never know what is causing your fatigue, I'll never know for sure, but Adrenal Fatigue is not a real thing. I suggest getting your cortisol and thyroid checked.
Also, I'm not against naturopath, in Canada it's very regulated, and every alternative medicine practitioner I've seen has always been realistic about their limitations and encouraged me to continue seeing conventional doctors. It may not be so regulated where you live, and this "naturopath" may not have any qualifications. I'd be careful. Always do research on what you told from ANY doctor, using reputable websites ONLY.
An article from the freakin MAYO CLINIC:Question
Adrenal fatigue: What causes it?
Is there such a thing as adrenal fatigue?
Answer
from Todd B. Nippoldt, M.D.
Adrenal fatigue is a term applied to a collection of nonspecific symptoms, such as body aches, fatigue, nervousness, sleep disturbances and digestive problems. The term often shows up in popular health books and on alternative medicine websites, but it isn't an accepted medical diagnosis.
Your adrenal glands produce a variety of hormones that are essential to life. The medical term adrenal insufficiency, or Addison's disease, refers to inadequate production of one or more of these hormones as a result of an underlying disease.
Signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency include:
Fatigue
Body aches
Unexplained weight loss
Low blood pressure
Lightheadedness
Loss of body hair
Adrenal insufficiency can be diagnosed by blood tests and special stimulation tests that show inadequate levels of adrenal hormones.
Proponents of the adrenal fatigue diagnosis claim this is a mild form of adrenal insufficiency caused by chronic stress. The unproven theory behind adrenal fatigue is that your adrenal glands are unable to keep pace with the demands of perpetual fight-or-flight arousal. As a result, they can't produce quite enough of the hormones you need to feel good. Existing blood tests, according to this theory, aren't sensitive enough to detect such a small decline in adrenal function — but your body is.
It's frustrating to have persistent symptoms your doctor can't readily explain. But accepting a medically unrecognized diagnosis from an unqualified practitioner could be worse. Unproven remedies for so-called adrenal fatigue may leave you feeling sicker, while the real cause — such as depression or fibromyalgia — continues to take its toll.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/adrenal-fatigue/AN01583
See, some doctors may use the term, but officially, it is NOT a recognized disease. There is NOT enough evidence.0 -
I will ask you one question - are your periods regular? Since you have had a cyst removed, I thought of asking this. I recently came across a podcast which mentioned that irregular periods may happen because progesterone is not produced in sufficient amounts. The reason why this happens is because of pituitary/adrenal fatigue which happens due to various reasons including stress. Pregnenolone is a hormone that is precursor hormone to all hormones in body which also manufactures progesterone and cortisol. It is being said that if a woman is under a lot of stress either mental or physical for long and continuous periods, it can lead to redirecting pregnenolone towards producing cortisol - so less is left for progesterone production. As a result, its not sufficient to regulate your monthly cycle / timely. Which may lead to development of cysts.
So if they are irregular, it was advised that you approach an endocrinologist rather than a gynecologist/ob and check for these hormones including adrenaline (because it is the pituitary/adrenaline gland that is principally incharge of hormonal balance). It was advised that female hormones don't go out of whack since they are generated by some other processes and hormones.
I am not sure how this can help you directly, but I thought it could be relevant, especially with the fact of cyst that you mentioned.0 -
i wasn't officially diagnosed with it, but did learn about it via some very real MDs, as in medical doctors, who also happen to be well educated in nutrition as well. i didn't have to buy anything from them, or pay them for anything. i learned what they had to teach, and then took their advice on how to treat/ reverse/ avoid it ( whatever word you would chose). from what i could tell, most of the treatments were NOT expensive, and didn't put any money in the doctor's pockets or big drug's. ie. not buying tons of prescription meds at hundreds of dollars per month.
one of the easiest and least expensive things they offered as an treatment, was lowering stress. they suggested i do this by knocking off the crazy intense work outs, getting more sleep, taking slow leisure walks of several miles EVERY DAY. taking naps, sitting down ( not something i am prone to do during the day). as you can tell, most of that is free.
the second step, was to address dietary issues. again, food is something you normally buy anyway, but WHAT you eat is the key!!
the last step was to add supplements if you find you need them. this process isn't done over night and it's not fixed over night either.
i started in august 2012. i did the lowering my stress first. then i added supplements and in january 2013, i addressed my diet and started working out again. by working out again i mean i mainly just walked a whole lot!!! miles and miles at nothing greater than a 3.0 pace every day. it's been almost a year now, and i have to be very aware of my stress levels, how much sleep i get, how much down time i get, and what i eat. it's like a teeter toter....... a precarious balancing act.
so, people can believe that something like adrenal fatigue doesn't exist, but the doctors i worked with would disagree with them. and they BOTH have MD after their names ;-)
i am hopeful to never be where i was prior to aug 2012. my profile picture is a before and after. july 2012 to july 2013. i have finally started losing weight, and changing my shape. it's VERY slow going, but at least i have it figured out now and know what i need to do.
ETA: my periods were a MESS! i'd go from not having them. to having one and then practically hemorrhaging starting on day 10 of a cycle. i couldn't touch hormonal BC to save my life! within 6 mo of starting my new health measures, my cycles returned back to clock work. 28-30 days. my horrid cramping and spotting and break through bleeding and everything else, gone.0 -
These replies frustrate me on so many levels. I am suffering from adrenal fatigue and it is a real condition. I was diagnosed by a fully qualified MD/GP (depending on where you're from) who went through medical school like every other doctor out there but who also complements this traditional training with non-traditional therapies where he sees a failing in western medicine. He is not a witch doctor, he is an open-minded doctor and a doctor that has managed to transform the life of my mother and myself beyond recognition. I was diagnosed through cortisol tests, amongst other things. This doctor 100% believes in the brilliance that is western medicine, however, he also sees its limits and seeks to address them.
The reason why adrenal fatigue is not recognised by western medicine is because it is not taught at medical school (so why would your average doctor diagnose you with something they have probably never heard of?) however research will show you that adrenal fatigue was well documented in traditional medical literature before the 1950s, aka, before the medical industry became driven by giant pharmaceutical companies. The remedy for adrenal fatigue is not profitable and therefore not worthwhile. Rest, better diet, melatonin/dhea supplements, vit c, some herbs etc etc don't really bring in the big bucks. Yes, some people may market 'adrenal tablets' and stuff out there but the profits and scale is really laughable. I say give it 10-15 years and this condition will be a lot more widely recognised by regular MD/GPs.
Best of luck with your weight loss! My understanding is that exercise is great for you while trying to give your adrenals a chance to recover but remember to listen to your body and not push yourself too far. I agree with the comments suggesting it could be related to your thyroid. My thyroid was ****ed up a bit from my adrenal problems but has since normalised. Perhaps get that tested? You could be low in iodine too - but make sure you test that before adding extra iodine into your diet! Too much can be as bad as too little.
Unfortunately, some trained doctors can be scam artists or tricked themselves - people are fallible.
It all comes down to the matter of evidence and proof - there is no evidence of adrenal fatigue existing. The tests you talk of only show it based on what these people are telling you - it is not proof that you have anything. If adrenal fatigue was a real thing, studies would have been done which show it's existence - all studies have shown no evidence of such a thing. I can ask for a swab of your cheek, take some blood or ask you to spit in a test tube and then claim you have something. There is no scientific backing for such tests. A cortisol test tells you nothing - depending on when you do it the levels will naturally vary, so they could choose a time to make the result low or high, and there is no proof that such a test showing anything other than complete failure of the adrenal glands means anything at all.
Again, 'non-traditional therapies' - ask yourself why they are 'non-traditional' - medicine is not about tradition, it is about what works. If a therapy works it is medicine. If it has to have another label applied it isn't. They use the terms to skirt around the fact that these things are provably no more effective than a placebo - meaning they do nothing.
As to "it's not taught in medical school, therefore they don't know about it" - that statement shows a clear misunderstanding of how a medical professional (hell, any professional in any field) functions. People do not become a doctor and then just stop - they continue to read papers, practice new treatments, attend courses and lectures by others, and do their own research. The idea that doctors would not know about a disease because it is new is just crazy - their job is to keep up-to-date and be able to treat people regardless of how long we have known about a disease.
Most doctors will have heard of 'adrenal fatigue' - and they will tell you it's rubbish. It's a scam, being sold to you by either scam artists, or people tricked themselves. It's not unknown, it's rejected as the clear fabrication that it is. Again, the idea that it isn't profitable, therefore it isn't diagnosed or treated is insane - despite what many believe, nearly all Doctors want to help people, and any disease with a treatment that works is profitable - the margins might be low on some things, but that's hardly new. Paracetamol may have tiny margins, but places still sell it.
You think it is working - I can understand why you would defend it, but approach it with a clear mind, and ask yourself if you are being scammed - you are, and the people being scammed can never see that. I know it sucks, but the sooner you realise that the better it will be.0 -
LOL!! I do not go to a scam artist. I go to actual MD. He is one of the top doctors in our state and one of the most reputable doctors in the country. The practice I go to works closely with Duke University. So, I respect your opinion but I am going to stick to with the top research doctors in the country have to say and they absolutely recognize adrenal fatigue. It is nothing more then low cortisol levels and if it gets to low you can go into adrenal insufficiency. I am not sure why this is even an argument. If you don't believe it to be true. Why care??
Richard Shames is one of the top hormonal MDs (he graduated from Harvard University) and here is what he has to say:
http://thyroid.about.com/b/2010/11/03/richard-shames-adrenal-fatigue.htm
I have studied and researched this topic, I have talked to leading experts at Duke University and I will for sure listen to them over someone who is on my fitness pal that read a couple articles.
No offense, I am being serious. I actually REALLY know what I am talking about.0
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