In today’s high-speed, high-stress world, traditional medicine struggles to explain burnout, chronic exhaustion, and hormonal imbalances. A popular explanation emerging from holistic and functional medicine is adrenal fatigue, a controversial yet widely discussed condition believed to result from prolonged stress and its effect on the adrenal glands.
Whether you’re constantly tired, struggling to focus, or feeling overwhelmed despite a healthy lifestyle, it might be time to learn more about your adrenal health to learn what adrenal fatigue is, its symptoms, root causes, and how supplements can help support your recovery.
What Is Adrenal Fatigue?
Adrenal fatigue isn’t officially recognized as a diagnosis by the Endocrine Society. Still, it is a widely accepted term used to describe a collection of nonspecific symptoms, like body aches, fatigue, nervousness, sleep disturbances, and digestive problems, that are believed to occur when the adrenal glands are unable to meet the demands of chronic stress.
The adrenal glands, located above each kidney, play an important role in the body’s hormonal response. They produce cortisol (the stress hormone), adrenaline, norepinephrine, aldosterone, and small amounts of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone.
The production and release of cortisol is controlled by the HPA axis, and when the brain perceives stress (physical, emotional, or environmental), the hypothalamus signals the pituitary gland to release ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), which then prompts the adrenal glands to secrete cortisol.
However, under chronic stress, the HPA axis can become dysregulated, which can potentially lead to issues like fatigue, poor sleep, and mood disturbances. Supporting adrenal health involves not just the glands themselves but the entire communication network of the HPA axis.
Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue
Though not a recognized diagnosis, adrenal fatigue is often described as a state of chronic exhaustion that doesn’t resolve with rest. That said, many integrative and functional medicine practitioners have observed a distinct constellation of symptoms in individuals who find themselves under prolonged periods of physical or emotional stress.
These symptoms might be subtle at first, but they tend to intensify over time, affecting nearly every system of the body. Understanding these signs is the first step toward identifying whether adrenal imbalance may be contributing to your fatigue, mood issues, or hormonal disturbances.
Symptoms can vary in severity, but individuals often report:
- Chronic Fatigue – This is a hallmark symptom of adrenal fatigue, not to be confused with just feeling tired after a bad night’s sleep. Chronic fatigue is a deep, persistent fatigue that doesn’t go away with rest.
- Difficulty Getting Out of Bed – Many people with adrenal fatigue find it especially hard to wake up in the morning, even after sleeping for 8 hours or more.
- Craving Salty or Sugary Foods – These cravings reflect imbalances in both cortisol and aldosterone hormones that can affect blood sugar and sodium levels.
- Mood Swings and Irritability – Inconsistent hormone production could impact neurotransmitter balance, which can influence your mood and mental health.
- Brain Fog – Memory issues, difficulty concentrating, and mental fatigue are common cognitive symptoms of adrenal fatigue.
- Sleep Disturbances – With adrenal fatigue, it’s not uncommon to feel tired all day, but then find yourself unable to sleep at night.
- Low Libido – Reduced production of sex hormones could lead to a decrease in sexual interest, or other hormonal imbalance symptoms.
- Weakened Immune System – With adrenal fatigue, you could experience frequent colds, infections, or slow recovery from illness or injury.
- Lightheadedness When Standing Up – This can signal dysregulation in blood pressure and fluid balance, which is related to adrenal hormones.
- Increased Reliance on Stimulants – People with adrenal fatigue often find themselves needing more caffeine or sugar just to make it through the day.
Testing for Adrenal Fatigue
Because the symptoms of adrenal fatigue overlap with many other health conditions, like thyroid disorders, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, or even nutrient deficiencies, it’s important not to assume you are experiencing adrenal dysfunction without proper evaluation. A comprehensive assessment by a qualified healthcare provider is necessary to determine whether adrenal imbalances may be contributing to your symptoms.
To support that process, it can be helpful to begin with a baseline assessment. Adrenal stress test kits (available through our online store) measure natural fluctuations in cortisol and DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) across the day, providing insight into your body’s diurnal rhythm.
These simple, at-home saliva collection kits allow you to submit a sample to a lab for analysis. Results typically include a visual graph showing hormone production patterns throughout the day, which can assist you and your provider in identifying possible imbalances.
Your test results may help inform a personalized wellness plan, potentially including supplements, targeted lifestyle adjustments, or further diagnostic testing, as part of a collaborative approach to support adrenal and overall health.
Root Causes of Adrenal Fatigue
Adrenal fatigue symptoms may develop in response to ongoing stressors that can push the body beyond its capacity to adapt. Research like that published in Advances in Integrative Medicine (Wilson, 2014) posits that adrenal fatigue can stem from chronic activation of the stress response, which overburdens the adrenal glands and disrupts the delicate balance of hormones.
However, stress isn’t always psychological. The root causes are often multifactorial, ranging from poor sleep and nutritional deficiencies to chronic infections, inflammation, and unresolved trauma. Understanding these underlying contributors is essential for developing a truly effective, long-term strategy for recovery.
Some causes are thought to include:
- Chronic Stress – Emotional stress activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which can lead to prolonged cortisol production. Over time, this can exhaust the system.
- Poor Sleep – A lack of quality sleep can disrupt circadian rhythms and prevent adequate cortisol recovery and melatonin balance.
- Nutrient Deficiencies – Deficiencies in magnesium, B vitamins (especially B5 and B6), vitamin C, and zinc may impair adrenal hormone synthesis.
- Poor Diet – High sugar intake, processed foods, and skipping meals can destabilize blood sugar levels, which then increases the body’s demand for cortisol.
- Overtraining – Excessive physical activity without enough recovery has a similar stress effect on the body as emotional stress.
- Stimulant Overuse – Too much caffeine or energy drinks can force your adrenal glands to pump out more stress hormones, which can eventually contribute to fatigue.
- Hidden Infections – Chronic infections like Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Lyme disease, or Candida overgrowth can drain energy and inflame the body.
- Toxin Exposure – Environmental toxins, heavy metals, and mold can interfere with endocrine function and mitochondrial health.
- Blood Sugar Instability – Fluctuating blood sugar leads to frequent cortisol spikes, which puts continuous demand on the adrenal glands.
- Thyroid Dysfunction – Adrenal and thyroid function are closely linked. Low adrenal function could lead to or worsen hypothyroidism.
Pinpointing the root causes of adrenal fatigue is an important step toward real, sustainable healing, as simply masking symptoms with stimulants or temporary fixes won’t address the deeper imbalances at play. By taking a whole-person approach – physically, mentally, and emotionally – individuals can support adrenal function and move toward greater resilience and vitality.
Supplements That May Support Adrenal Health
If you’ve noticed the symptoms of adrenal fatigue and have identified and addressed potential causes, the next step is finding healing. A comprehensive care plan to improve your adrenal health may include physician-prescribed medications, supplements, lifestyle changes, or all three. In particular, one of the most accessible approaches to adrenal support involves nutrient supplementation.
Potential supplements to support adrenal health may include:
- Vitamin C – Vital for cortisol production and adrenal repair, a 2023 review in Stress Health (Beglaryen et al, 2023) found that Vitamin C may help alleviate hypercortisolemia caused by chronic stress.
- B Vitamins (B5, B6, B12) – Studies like this 2020 research published in Nutrients (Tardy et al, 2020) demonstrate that B vitamins can support energy metabolism, hormone synthesis, and nervous system function. They are often depleted in individuals under chronic stress.
- Magnesium – A 2020 review in Clinical Endocrinology (Schutten et al, 2020) found that long-term magnesium intake can improve glucocorticoid metabolism, a bodily function that supports adrenal health.
- Ashwagandha – A clinical review published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences (Wicinski et al, 2024) supports claims that ashwagandha, an adaptogenic plant, can help reduce cortisol levels and bolster adrenal function.
- Rhodiola Rosea – A 2018 study in Planta Medica (Olsson et al, 2018) found that this adaptogen can help some people alleviate chronic fatigue, reduce depression symptoms, and enhance quality of life.
- Licorice Root – A clinical review published by Heliyon (Wang et al, 2023) reveals licorice root’s potential antidepressant and endocrine-regulating properties. However, it must be used with caution, especially in people with high blood pressure.
It is critical to understand that the above supplements are not a cure for adrenal malfunction, especially since research is mixed regarding their efficacy. Instead, supplements have the potential to serve as one of a few available methods of supportive care. Consider incorporating supplements, where appropriate, into your adrenal care plan.
Compounding Considerations
When it comes to managing adrenal fatigue, a one-size-fits-all approach might not offer the optimal support each individual needs. As mentioned, a blend of medications and supplements may be the best way to improve adrenal health. That’s where compounding pharmacies come in.
Compounding enables the creation of customized adrenal support formulations, tailored precisely to the patient’s symptoms, laboratory results, sensitivities, and lifestyle preferences.
Compounding pharmacies must adhere to strict FDA guidelines and state pharmacy board regulations to ensure the safety, quality, and efficacy of their custom formulations. Many reputable compounding pharmacies also seek accreditation from the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board (PCAB), which signifies adherence to the highest standards in sterile and non-sterile compounding.
These pharmacies implement rigorous quality control measures, including testing for potency, sterility, and purity, to ensure each formulation meets the individualized needs of patients while maintaining compliance with regulatory and safety protocols
Why Choose a Compounding Pharmacy?
Unlike commercially available supplements that offer fixed doses and standard ingredient combinations, compounded adrenal support blends are personalized. A licensed compounding pharmacist works in collaboration with your healthcare provider to design a formula to target your symptoms.
The level of customization provided by compounded medications and supplements is especially helpful for those who struggle with multiple sensitivities or allergies, require unique dosing schedules or delivery forms (capsule, cream, liquid), those who haven’t responded well to over-the-counter options, or those who are under the supervision of an integrative or functional medicine provider who uses detailed lab assessments.
Compounded Medications and Supplements: Adjunctive, Not a Standalone Solution
While vitamins, minerals, and adaptogenic herbs can play a valuable role in supporting adrenal health, it’s important to understand that they are not a cure for adrenal fatigue or any underlying hormonal imbalances. These supplements can serve as part of a supportive care approach, helping to replenish nutrient deficiencies, stabilize energy levels, and promote resilience to stress.
Supplementation should always be seen as one piece of a broader wellness strategy.
Other important areas of focus within a comprehensive medical care plan might include:
- Lifestyle modifications
- Psychological support
- Endocrine evaluations
- Collaboration with your primary care or functional medicine doctor
Working with a qualified healthcare provider is essential. They can order the right tests, monitor your progress, and adjust recommendations as your condition improves. Supplements can be an effective component of treatment alongside efforts to improve sleep, optimize nutrition, and engage in stress management.
Moving Forward with Clarity and Care [H2]
Whether labeled as HPA axis dysregulation, chronic stress syndrome, or burnout, adrenal fatigue and the struggles associated with it can be a profoundly negative factor in your life. Our bodies aren’t built to sustain constant stress without consequences, and taking action now can help you achieve a healthier you.
If you recognize yourself in the symptoms described above, it’s important to speak with your doctor or a licensed healthcare provider to rule out any underlying conditions.
If you’re looking for personalized support, especially when conventional solutions fall short, our team can help you explore safe, tailored options for adrenal health and overall wellness. Contact us today to learn more.
* Editor’s Note: This article was previously updated Dec, 2024 and has been updated and re-published June, 2025.
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