Adrenal Health

Question 1

The adrenals are located above what organ?

Answer 1

The kidneys on both sides of the abdomen

Question 2

The adrenals are an important part of what axis?

Answer 2

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis)

Question 3

The HPA axis influences what in the body?

Answer 3

Reproduction, appetite, blood sugar control, stress management, growth, digestion

Question 4

The adrenals are the body’s what?

Answer 4

It’s second line of defense against all kinds of stress after the brain.

Question 5

What hormones are produced by the adrenal glands?

Answer 5

Cortisol, DHEA, aldosterone, small amounts of progesterone and estrogen, adrenaline, epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine

Question 6

Which is the stress hormone secreted by the adrenals that has helpful effects short-term, but damaging long-term effects with chronic elevated output?

Answer 6

Cortisol

Question 7

What are the effects of cortisol?

Answer 7

Decreased inflammation, increased blood sugar, decreased muscle and protein levels, decreased immune response

Question 8

What are the two types of stress?

Answer 8

Short-term & Long-term (chronic stress)

Question 9

What are examples of short-term stress?

Answer 9

Trauma, infection, temperature extremes, surgery, emotional stress

All of these are events can be described as a flight or fight “alarm reaction” and which are quickly relieved

Question 10

What are examples of long-term stress?

Answer 10

Poor wound healing, stomach ulcers, diabetes, weakness, depression, yeast overgrowth, bone loss, weight gain around the abdomen (especially important to manage stress for women over 50 & menopausal)

All of these events are considered chronic because they incur extended elevated levels of cortisol that eventually lead to exhaustion and harmful health effects.

Question 11

What are physical stressors?

Answer 11

Injury, temperature extremes, illness, malnutrition, etc.

Question 12

What are psychological stressors?

Answer 12

Fear, conflict, anger, frustration, grief, etc.

Question 13

What is the role of stress in the female body?

Answer 13

It can greatly affect sex hormone production which can affect menstruation and fertility.

Question 14

DHEA is considered to be what?

Answer 14

The “fountain of youth”. This hormone balances with cortisol and influences the production of progesterone & estrogen

Question 15

What is the effect of high cortisol on DHEA?

Answer 15

It lowers DHEA which then throws the balance off into a cascade of lower estrogen, FSH, LH, and progesterone

Question 16

What is a pregnenolone steal?

Answer 16

The body steals pregnenolone and progesterone, which pregnenolone is the precursor hormone to both cortisol and sex hormones, to make cortisol when the adrenals are maxed out on producing any more cortisol.

Question 17

What is estrogen dominance?

Answer 17

Too high levels of estrogen in comparison to progesterone. This may happen when cortisol blocks progesterone.
Estrogen dominance can cause PMS symptoms, such as irritability, breast pain, acne, and headaches.

Question 18

Stress can also lead to what other symptoms related to estrogen levels?

Answer 18

Low libido, irregular menstruation, and infertility

Question 19

What is another name for adrenal fatigue?

Answer 19

HPA - axis dysfunction

Question 20

What is HPA-axis dysfunction?

Answer 20

The HPA-axis normally releases a lot of cortisol in the morning to wake you up and low levels in the evenings to allow for sleep.

A dysfunction happens when much more cortisol is released, the adrenals no longer respond to ACTH, cortisol continues to be released and is broken down too quickly leading to cortisol remaining high all the time and low levels in the morning with high levels at night.

This breakdown causes primary functions like digestion, reproduction, growth, and rest to shut down.

Question 21

What are symptoms of HPA-axis dysfunction?

Answer 21

Anxiety/depression, blood pressure issues, brain fog, dizziness, dry skin, fatigue, immune system compromise, increased abdominal fat, increased appetite, low sex drive, poor blood sugar control, poor circulation, poor muscle tone, salt cravings, sleep problems, slow wound healing, thyroid dysfunction

Question 22

What factors can contribute to HPA-axis dysfunction?

Answer 22

Caffeine, chronic psychological stress, considered perceived stress or NUTS, electromagnetic fields, environmental toxins, inadequate sleep, inflammation, poor diet (processed foods, sugar, factory meats), and shift work

Question 23

What are the impacts of dysregulated (high) cortisol?

Answer 23

Increased cortisol at night affecting sleep cycle, tired but wired, reproductive system put on back burner because body prioritizes responding to perceived threats which leads to low libido, infertility, and miscarriage. Finally, lowers the production of thyroid-stimulating hormones which can lead to hypothyroidism

Question 24

How do low cortisol levels impact the body?

Answer 24

Fatigue, depression, fibromyalgia, hypothyroidism, increased susceptibility to autoimmune and inflammatory diseases