124: How to Test for Adrenal Fatigue

If you want to know how to test for adrenal fatigue, this episode is for you. Erica dives into the different types of testing for adrenals and hormones. You’ll discover the best adrenal fatigue test for getting correct results, where you can get one, and more. 

Symptoms of adrenal fatigue

• Fatigue, exhaustion that doesn’t resolve with sleep 
• Dependency on stimulants
• Poor sleep, you may struggle to fall asleep and stay asleep 
• Brain fog and lack of mental clarity
• Cravings for salt or salty foods like meat and cheese or potato chips
• Feel constantly “on edge” or have a hard time relaxing
• Anxiety, racing heart/racing thoughts, nervousness (in more severe AF)
• Blood sugar dysregulation, shakiness/trembling

Conventional Doctor’s View on Adrenal Fatigue 

Suppose you have already tried to go to a general practitioner for adrenal fatigue. In that case, chances are you have been frustrated because most of them get absolutely no training on this condition. 

The medical model looks at organs in a way classified as functioning or failing. So, when it comes to the adrenals unless you are in 1 of 2 very severe cases, you will most likely not be acknowledged by your doctor. 

The first severe case is where the adrenals are not producing cortisol or aldosterone at all, or the level of production is so low that the condition is very, very severe. This is known as Addison’s Disease. 

The second type of condition is an overproduction of cortisol known as Cushing’s Disease. The reference ranges for cortisol in both of these conditions are so extreme that conventional medical testing misses most cases where people are still dealing with debilitating conditions. Conventional doctors dismiss symptoms because their hormone levels do not fall into the very severe categories needed to confirm Addison’s diagnosis. 

This is why most doctors do not understand how to help with adrenal fatigue because their testing does not detect it. 

How to Test for Adrenal Fatigue 

We recommend lab testing. But not just any lab tests. The tests that conventional doctors use for hormones are typical urine or blood. These are often not as accurate because they do not account for the amount of hormone that is actually within the cell. This is what truly matters when it comes to what your body has access to and how you are functioning. 

This is why we use saliva testing. Saliva testing is the most accurate and reliable way to determine how much hormone is actually within the cell. The other thing that I love about it is that it’s non-invasive, so you can do it in the comfort of your own home. This is HUGE for people struggling with low energy because the last thing you probably want to do is drive yourself to a lab to get blood drawn. 

So, this is how I test each time I want to check my hormones and cortisol levels, and it’s also what we’ve used for testing with clients over the last 12 years. We use a company called Labrix which merged with Doctor’s Data a few years ago. 

What I love about their testing is that it’s economical, and it also tests for sex hormones in addition to cortisol. Hence, it’s super helpful for balancing hormone levels for other purposes in addition to adrenal support. And they also list an optimal range for hormone levels in addition to a reference range. The reference range is what most conventional medical tests use as “normal.” But the optimal range is what is needed to feel your best and feel alive! And this is SO key because if the interpretation of the test is incorrect, then it greatly diminishes the test’s value. 

And finally, it’s straightforward to do—you basically spit into a tube at 5 different times during the day to collect your sample. And then you send it back with prepaid shipping. SO easy. It’s the testing that we will be using when we launch our group coaching program later this month. 

I hope this episode has helped you understand what your options are for testing for adrenal fatigue. 

Do you think you are suffering from adrenal fatigue? Take our 30 second quiz to find out. 

If you know you are suffering with adrenal dysfunction and need support, sign up for our Group Coaching Program waitlist. I want you to know that you’re not alone. You can heal and feel like your best, most vibrant self. You just need a little support. 

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