08
MAY
2025

Understanding Adrenal Fatigue and the Stress Response

Have you ever felt like your body is stuck in overdrive—but running on empty?

One of my clients here in Southwest Florida, let’s call her Maya, came to me with all the classic signs: morning fatigue, brain fog, crashing after lunch, trouble sleeping, and anxiety that came in waves. She told me, “I’m exhausted, but I can’t seem to rest.”

She had been dismissed by other providers because her basic labs were "normal." But she knew something deeper was off.

So an Adrenal Profile by Diagnostic Solutions, was ran and the results were clear— adrenal dysfunction. Her cortisol curve was flattened, her waking levels were high, but her midday and afternoon levels dipped hard. Her body was trying to protect her… but in doing so, it was burning her out.

🔍 What Is Adrenal Fatigue?

Adrenal fatigue (technically HPA Axis Dysregulation) is when your brain and adrenal glands fall out of sync. This leads to poor cortisol timing—either too much when you don’t need it, or too little when you do.

It's often caused by:

Chronic stress (emotional, physical, or environmental)
Inconsistent sleep patterns
Blood sugar instability
High-demand lifestyles (hello, SWFL hustle!)

🧪 What Is the Adrenal Profile by Diagnostic Solutions?

This non-invasive saliva test captures cortisol levels four times a day, along with DHEA to show how well your body is adapting to stress. It maps out your full diurnal cortisol rhythm, helping us see exactly where support is needed.

You collect samples at home—no blood draws or appointments required—and ship them back in a prepaid box. Two weeks later, we have real, actionable data to guide your care.

🌴 Maya’s Root Cause Plan

After reviewing her results, we focused on what I call the LIFESTYLE model:

🧪 L – Lab Interpretation

Her waking cortisol was too high, midday levels were too low, and DHEA was declining—classic signs of overwork and HPA axis maladaptation.

🧯 I – Inflammation Reduction

We focused on blood sugar stability, removing inflammatory foods, and supporting gut health (yes, it all connects!).

🍽️ F – Food as Medicine

Breakfast with protein + healthy fats within 30 minutes of waking
Magnesium-rich foods (leafy greens, pumpkin seeds, avocado)
Reduced caffeine after 9am

💪 E – Exercise that Heals, Not Harms

Gentle walks, yoga, and restorative movement
Avoided overtraining or high cortisol-raising cardio

😴 S – Sleep Hygiene

Consistent bedtime (even on days off)
No screens 60 min before bed
Cooling room to 68–70°F

🧘 T – Tension Reduction

Daily 10-minute mindfulness practice
Emotional journaling prompts from her client workbook
Set boundaries with work and digital devices

💊 Y – Your Supplements (via Fullscript)

Licorice Root (AM): Helps preserve cortisol for energy
Adrenotone or Adaptogenic Blend: Normalizes response to stress
Magnesium Glycinate: Calms the nervous system, supports sleep
DHEA/Pregnenolone: Gently restoring the body’s natural hormone signals

🔁 L – Long-Term Strategy

Focused on sustainable routines, gradual stress recovery, and retesting every 12–16 weeks.

✨ E – Enjoy Life

This is the most important piece. Health is not just about labs or symptoms—it’s about how you show up in your life. Maya began feeling more present, playful, and grounded. That’s the goal of all healing: not just to survive, but to enjoy life again.

✨ You’re Not Lazy. You’re Burned Out.

Adrenal fatigue doesn’t just happen overnight—it’s the body’s way of saying, “I’ve been strong for too long.”

You don’t need to push harder—you need to support smarter.

🔗 Take the First Step

If you’ve been feeling:

Wired but tired
Foggy-headed or irritable
Overwhelmed but unable to rest
Like your energy tank is always on E...

...it’s time to listen to what your body is telling you. We can run the same Adrenal Profile Test and start building your healing plan.

📞 Schedule a Consult
🛍️ Explore My Fullscript Shop
🧬 Complete Intake Forms

We’re here to guide you with compassion, clarity, and science-backed support.

📚 References

Rind, P. (n.d.). Adrenal Function Testing and Stages. Dr. Rind’s Metabolic Model.

Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory. (2024). Adrenal and Hormone Profile: Provider Guide.

Thorne HealthTech. (2022). The Impact of Stress and the HPA Axis.

Wilson, J. L. (2001). Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome. Smart Publications.

Legal Notice ┃Privacy Policy

Root Cause Nurse

08MAY2025