Questions about weight loss with Adrenal Fatigue

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Replies

  • skylark94
    skylark94 Posts: 2,036 Member
    Your diary isn't open, so I can't take a look. How are you eating? Back when I was a 1,200 calorie eater I found that I had many of the symptoms of adrenal fatigue. I started eating better and suddenly I started feeling better too.

    http://gokaleo.com/2013/01/25/adrenal-fatigue-as-a-cover-for-starvation/
  • MissJanet55
    MissJanet55 Posts: 457 Member
    I've recently been reading more about adrenal fatigue. Like others, I experience many of the symptoms. I would rather treat them at the source that take a pill for each one, although I know not everyone feels this way.

    It is interesting to hear people say it doesn't exist. In the 80s you heard the same thing about fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, both of which are now treatable. Medicine is a fluid science, and constantly changing.

    I think naturopaths (who ARE doctors) and doctors are like any other profession - some are good, and some are bad. Naturopaths are not the only ones who dispense supplements that may or may not help. Doctors do the same with drugs. Medicine is not an exact science and calls for intuition and intelligence, whether you are a traditional or alternative practitioner.

    I understand that one can have a lot of relief from adrenal fatigue without a ton of supplements; dietary changes can be very powerful. And none of the dietary changes seem dire - no sugar, no caffeine, no manuafactured food. Not easy, but nothing there that will do any damage.
  • inukshuk1960
    inukshuk1960 Posts: 27 Member
    I disagree with it being garbage...
    Adrenal fatigue is real. I was testing and found to have cortisol levels at or higher in the afternoon than the morning. My adrenals don't turn off or ramp down in the evening like they should. As a result I have seen other issues like low WBC count because my body has been run down with high cortisol levels. But the biggest thing is no energy and inability to lose weight. I have been vegetarian since I was 16 (a long time) and have been vegan for 8 months and cannot lose weight....my naturopath said I won't lose until my adrenals start functioning properly...so for now I am vegan, I eat clean and workout when I have the energy.
    I would agree that the diagnosis of AF is a panacea that websites go to when you can't lose weight. Their way of promoting suppliments you do not need.
    If you can't afford a naturopath then just get plenty of rest and eat clean...watch out for quacks....and internet advice
    Hope that helps
  • gg177
    gg177 Posts: 35
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  • clairehubling
    clairehubling Posts: 1
    Don't mess around. My husband had similar symptoms in 1999 and was diagnosed with Addison's Disease, or adrenal failure. It is very serious and fatal if left untreated. He now takes daily meds and leads a normal life, though is very tired by the end of the day. In his case his weight fell off without trying. Regardless of weight, please get the adrenal challenge test done. It can save your life.
  • gg177
    gg177 Posts: 35
    To all the posters here who deny adrenal fatigue, I wonder what your qualifications are? My doctor is an MD that went to Cornell, and a Naturopath, and an acupuncturist. I have had extensive bloodwork/saliva testing done, on multiple occasions, to test against different circumstances. Now, I have also consulted with other doctors who say they are seeing this condition more and more. So we are supposed to listen to a couple of strangely oppositional posters on a forum board, rather than our doctors? What makes you such experts? I have felt exhausted for years, can't sleep, have an amazingly hard time losing weight, anxious, quick to anger, joint pain, etc....Since I have been seeing my doctor, I have begun to recuperate, and without buying any products from my Dr. They aren't out to make a buck, they are there to help, unlike all you posters who think you know what is going on. Why such anger? If we have all gone through testing, and are now finally feeling like we have the energy to go through life, why are you so against it? Do you work for the pharmaceutical industry? Have stock in prozac? If none of us here are looking for your "help" then please stop posting here
  • amandajones1978
    amandajones1978 Posts: 140
    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.


    This, I had the same issue. Stress from my job and not getting enough "good" sleep caused my cortisol levels to be all out of whack. I was exhausted in the evenings and barely losing weight despite exercising and maintaining a caloric deficit. I immediately started with getting better sleep. I used herbal remedies to help me sleep and aimed for 8 hrs a night. My job, I really cant do anything about unless I get another job, I just need to learn how to deal with the stress better. :/
  • SweatpantsRebellion
    SweatpantsRebellion Posts: 754 Member
    I like how the OP asks about weight loss with AF and people feel the need to pipe in and give their opinion that it's not real. That's not what this post was about.

    Anyways, I just did a search because I have adrenal fatigue and thyroid issues and of course that's impacting my weight loss journey. I'd love support, but I'm going to start another thread where dissenters are not welcome!
  • Waterlogged59
    Waterlogged59 Posts: 2 Member
    I've been diagnosed with extreme adrenal burnout and have been working with someone who specializes in functional medicine. The difference has been night and day. I feel like I'm getting my life back after struggling for years with horrific joint pain, inability to sleep (tired and WIRED), hot flashes and extreme exhaustion to the point of spending a good part of my day in bed.

    Of course, my allopathic doc is clueless about all of this. She told me that it was just "aging" (I'm 54) and finally sent me to a orthopedist for the hip pain. All she could do was suggest was that I would need a double hip replacement in a couple of years.

    Through trial and error, I found out that the joint pain is caused by multiple food sensitivities brought on by the cascade effect of the adrenal issue. Avoiding those foods brings the pain down from a level of 100 to about a 15.

    I also take different natural supplements which support my adrenals and thyroid and they have made an enormous difference for me.

    Anyone who is researching, questioning and seeking help for health issues that aren't being properly addressed shouldn't be put off by naysayers who think mainstream medicine has all the answers.
  • GinFit
    GinFit Posts: 1 Member
    I've had some very frustrating experiences with medical doctors who seem to know nothing at all about adrenal issues. I even had one doctor that told me he'd have to google it..... Really?
    I've been dealing with low adrenal levels for 2 years now. I had my levels tested by an MD, Naturopath and an endocrinologist. Quite honestly, and unfortunately, the MD was the one who just knew nothing at all, pretty much told me it was all in my head and wanted to put me on antidepressants. My naturopath and the endocrinologist were definitely on the same page and the endocrinologist was actually quite happy that I was seeing a naturopath and was very pleased with the information they gave me :)
    I was always an athlete and after my husband was in a very traumatic accident, my world and body changed in ways I couldn't imagine! I still can't workout like I used to, but hopefully someday I'll be able to again :)
  • MrsCassieThreatt
    MrsCassieThreatt Posts: 42 Member
    Im 39 and been fighting my weight for 20 years.

    Hair loss
    Weight gain (chronic)
    Headaches
    Dizzy ness
    Unable to lose weight
    Muscle fatigue
    Vomiting after work outs (personal trainers)

    I don't eat much because I'm fat, I work out all the time because I'm fat. I gained 5 pounds this month and 3 last month. My dr says it's adrenal fatigue and I need sleep first and the rest will fall into place. I am not living I'm merely surviving every day. I have 6 month old newborn twins and 3 other children. I'm told by the military drs I just need to work out more. I need to really push myself further. The dr in the states says I need to walk a few times a day and get some sun. I'm on 15 adrenal supplements.

    Drenamin
    Linum B
    Licorice Root
    Vitamin D
    Iodine
    Vitamin C
    Omega 3
    Turmeric
    Cuma cuma
    Ashowandago
    Magnesium
    Catalyn
    Cataplex c
    Cataplex b
    Thymex

    Most are by Standard Process. I also take melatonin to sleep at night. I guess if there's little hope I can fix these issues with modern day medicines, then at least I'm not alone. I'm not giving up, I have too many obligations in life to not be a fighter, I'm just exhausted and I want nothing more than to see results from my hard work.
  • robertf57
    robertf57 Posts: 560 Member
    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.

    Very entertaining reading! I just want to point out that Everyone in Salem Mass were convinced of the witches in their presence, too. And to be clear this so called top hormonal doctor isn't even board certified in ANY sepciality according to an online search of the American Board of Medical Speciaties.

    Whether adrenal fatigue exists could be debated here forever; but, the ideas of decreasing stress and improving nutrition are good interevntions for just about any disorder. Additionally, the powerful placebo effect of a ritual including supplements is nothing to be scoffed at. But I have to agree with the previous postings; if there was reliable evidence to support a condition like "adenal fatigue" and its treatment, it wouldn't be religated to alternative medicine. The nice thing about real doctors (MDs and DOs) is they are not limited in what they can practice. If it actually works, it will be in their armamentarium relatively quickly.

    And as an aside, to the poster who said Naturopaths are real doctors should Know is that in most states in the US, Naturopaths are not able to practice or are severly limited. In Texas, I understand they can't even use the title Doctor because of concern of misleading the public.
  • stewart19651
    stewart19651 Posts: 1
    Hello everyone,

    I know that losing weight on the road to recovery from weak adrenals and thyroid dysfunction is quite hard. 1: because a diet is not really an option because your adrenals need al lot of good fats and sufficient foods. 2: losing weight when your thyroid is not functioning right, is hard. I know from my own experience that when the adrenals get better, the thyroid als gets better, this is because these organs function in unisome (HPA-axis).

    I have a question: i use this supplement (http://www.voedingssupplementennederland.nl/en/vitakruid-b12-forte-plus-3000-mcg-en.html) and although it is quite expensive i must say, it has a large amount of vitamine B12, and it gives me some boost in energy. But i am wondering if this puts extra load on my adrenals.

    Anybody?
  • kathivg
    kathivg Posts: 30
    Oh good grief. I'm looking for some help and all I'm reading is people from both sides debating. Did I somehow land on the Dem/Rep webpage? Don't waste people's time with trying to make yourselves sound good. If you have real suggestions then please post them, otherwise stop arguing.
  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    kathivg wrote: »
    Oh good grief. I'm looking for some help and all I'm reading is people from both sides debating. Did I somehow land on the Dem/Rep webpage? Don't waste people's time with trying to make yourselves sound good. If you have real suggestions then please post them, otherwise stop arguing.

    So you want people to support and provide suggestions for a condition that is not recognized by the medical community? Why? I would think it would be more helpful for people to point out that it is not a recognized diagnosis so that people don't waste time, energy and in most cases money for "tests" and "treatments" no a non-existent problem and instead focus on actual causes of the symptoms.
  • SergeantSausage
    SergeantSausage Posts: 1,673 Member
    edited February 2015
    chrissys74 wrote: »
    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.


    You are in something... but it ain't "adrenal fatigue" ...

    quack_small.jpg

    EDIT : -*kitten* - caught up by a Zombie Thread. ..

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