Can Adrenal Fatigue Cause Hashimoto’s?
The adrenal glands are two walnut-sized glands that sit atop the kidneys and that can make the difference between being bouncy and energetic or run down and burned out.
This is because they release stress hormones and the hormone cortisol, which, among other things, gives us energy.
Unfortunately, the adrenal glands are under siege by our stressed-out modern lives.
In addition to stress, blood sugar swings, gut infections, food intolerances, chronic viruses, environmental toxins, and autoimmune conditions tax the adrenal glands. The body interprets all of these as threats, causing the adrenal glands to pump out stress hormones to raise blood sugar to meet the demands of the stress.
What should be an occasional mechanism is a daily thing for most and is commonly seen in my clinical practice in association with Hashimoto’s and other autoimmune conditions.
So, this raised the question in my mind… can adrenal fatigue cause hashimoto’s?
Symptoms of adrenal stress include fatigue, weak immunity, allergies, low blood sugar, being groggy in the mornings, crashing in the afternoon, sleep problems, and more.
Adrenal imbalances are one the most common health problems we see in functional medicine thanks to high-stress lifestyles, high-carb diets, and a toxic environment.
Adrenal problems always secondary to something else
(Question: Can adrenal fatigue cause hashimoto’s?)
Adrenal health is always secondary to something else.
Blood sugar imbalances are a very common cause of adrenal problems. The adrenal hormone cortisol raises blood sugar when it drops too low, which, when it happens repeatedly, exhausts the adrenal glands, as well as the brain’s control center over these functions.
Constant cortisol production weakens the lining of the intestinal tract, making it more susceptible to bad bacteria, inflammation, and leaky gut.
Other factors that can contribute to adrenal problems include autoimmune disease, food intolerances, chronic infection, chemical sensitivities, and hormonal imbalances.
Lab tests to assess adrenal health
(Question: Can adrenal fatigue cause hashimoto’s?)
We can measure adrenal function with a urinary panel. A lot of people ask me about salivary testing, and though I used to use it in the past, a new urinary test is proving to be more useful.
The most important thing to know about the panel is that one test is not worth much.
It is the follow-up test that shows whether a protocol is improving your health.
If it’s not, we dig deeper.
You take the test kit home and collect samples of your urine at 4 points throughout the day to measure cortisol at each time.
It should be highest in the morning so you feel alert and lowest at night so you feel tired for bed.
This is called your circadian rhythm, or sleep-wake cycle. Chronic stress eventually disrupts the circadian rhythm. An abnormal circadian rhythm can cause high cortisol at night and insomnia, or low cortisol in the morning, which makes it hard to wake up.
Adrenal problems can cause hormone problems
(Question: Can adrenal fatigue cause hashimoto’s?)
When adrenal stress is high, the body steals a hormone called pregnenolone from cholesterol to make more cortisol — a phenomenon known as pregnenolone steal.
Normally, the body uses pregnenolone to make sex hormones such as progesterone and testosterone. As a result, pregnenolone steal causes hormonal imbalances such as PMS, infertility, male menopause, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Avoid adrenal Stimulators
(Question: Can adrenal fatigue cause hashimoto’s?)
If you are serious about restoring your adrenal health, avoid the things that tax it, such as sugar, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, foods to which are you sensitive, lack of sleep, over exercising, over working, bad relationships, and other stressors.
Stabilize blood sugar to support adrenals
(Question: Can adrenal fatigue cause hashimoto’s?)
Stabilizing blood sugar is paramount to supporting the adrenals and hashimoto’s.
This is especially true for those with low blood sugar who get irritable, shaky, or lightheaded if they go too long without eating.
Eat a protein breakfast and then eat small meals frequently to keep your blood sugar from crashing. Avoid relying on caffeine or sugar for energy, and do not skip meals.
Schedule relaxing things
(Question: Can adrenal fatigue cause hashimoto’s?)
Find ways to relieve stress and remain calm. Learn some relaxation techniques, take yoga, walk daily, take time off, socialize, and other things that support your well being in a positive and healthy way. Just knowing you have something fun and relaxing planned is half the battle to lowering stress.
If you want someone to help you investigate the causes of your problems, and to give you the best chance of speeding up your results, and help you save time, ask my office for help in supporting your adrenal health by calling (828) 324-0800.
I hope this helps you!
Have a great day!
