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Since being diagnosed with severe adrenal fatigue, I’ve needed adrenal cortisol support.

So I want to share what that looks like with you.

[To go on my FULL adrenal journey, just join THIS. You’ll be granted instant access.]

HPA Axis Dysfunction

Now, before I have everyone coming at me with the conventional medicine teaching that, “There is no such thing as adrenal fatigue,” let me share a little more about this.

The adrenal glands are small glands located on top of each kidney. They produce hormones that you can’t live without, including sex hormones and cortisol. Cortisol helps you respond to stress and has many other important functions. (source)

​You’ll make note that I already called it HPA axis dysfunction.

This is something to be super aware of.

While we “common healers” call it Adrenal Fatigue, the medical term is HPA axis dysfunction.

The reason the distinction is important is because if you go into your doctor and ask for a simple adrenal fatigue test, you might get an eye roll. 

The true term is: HPA-Axis Dysfunction.

Restoration Healthcare states it as such,

HPA axis dysfunction is a more accurate diagnosis than adrenal fatigue because it recognizes that the adrenal gland does not operate in a vacuum; problems upstream of the adrenal gland can and often do impact adrenal function. “HPA” refers to the three components involved in adrenal hormone production.

These three components include:

1. Hypothalamus
2. Pituitary Gland
3. Adrenal Glands

All three work together.

But, specifically, the adrenal glands:

….release certain hormones directly into the bloodstream. Many of these hormones have to do with how the body responds to stress, and some are vital to existence. Both parts of the adrenal glands — the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla — perform distinct and separate functions.

For the purposes of this article, and almost every time I share about the topic, I just keep it simple and basic with adrenal fatigue. 

Seems like it best describes the situation anyways.

And if you know, then you know.

What is Cortisol?

To understand more about adrenal cortisol support, we should first understand what cortisol is.

It is a hormone, and one that plays a vital part in overall health, as it helps the body respond to stress. 

Within this, cortisol also:

1. Regulates the body’s metabolism
2. Helps maintain blood pressure
3. Contributes to the regulation of blood sugar
4. Controls the sleep-wake cycle
5. Has indication on the immune system

Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands, which is also why those with cortisol problems commonly refer to it as “adrenal fatigue.”

Because it’s produced by the adrenal glands, it has everything to do with overall adrenal health.

Your adrenal glands sit on top of the kidneys, and the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis regulates the production and secretion of cortisol. Therefore, medical terms state, “HPA-axis dysfunction.”

High vs Low Cortisol

Most commonly, we hear of high cortisol levels.

But something that not a lot of people know is that low cortisol is also a thing.

No matter if it’s high or low cortisol, the Cleveland Clinic says that nearly every organ system in the body can be affected:

1. Nervous system
2. Immune system
3. Cardiovascular system
4. Respiratory system
5. Reproductive system
6. Musculoskeletal system
7. Integumentary system (skin, hair, nails, glands and nerves)

High vs. Low Cortisol Symptoms

HIGH CORTISOL SYMPTOMS	LOW CORTISOL SYMPTOMS
Weight gain, especially in your face (moon face) and abdomen	Fatigue
Fatty deposits between your shoulder blades	Unintentional weight loss and/or poor appetite
Red in the face	Decreased libido
Wide, purple stretch marks on your abdomen (belly)	Low blood pressure (hypotension)
Muscle weakness in your upper arms and thighs	Skin discoloration
High blood sugar, which often turns into Type 2 diabetes	Salt cravings
High blood pressure (hypertension)	Low blood sugar, oftentimes accompanied by dizziness (especially upon standing)
Excessive hair growth (hirsutism) in people assigned female at birth	Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea with or without abdominal pain
Weak bones (osteoporosis) and fractures	Low-grade fever
Brain fog and difficulty concentrating	Increased thirst

Sources: HERE and HERE

What Causes Low Adrenal Production of Cortisol?

First, super high cortisol is, at its worst, connected to Cushing’s syndrome. And super low cortisol, at its worst, is connected to Addison’s disease.

But for the purposes of this article, I’m not talking about either of those.

I’m talking about elevated or reduced levels, not “disease” specific.

Now, because I know that most people connect “high stress” to “high cortisol,” I want to share another side of that.

Yes, it’s true, with the everyday life stress we all have, cortisol can and oftentimes does increase.

But by the time the daily stress become chronic (ie long-term stress), then cortisol production becomes too low.

This extreme or prolonged stress can result in adrenal burnout.

There are 3 or 4 stages of adrenal fatigue, depending on the source.

I have listed out the 4 stages of adrenal fatigue.

In later stages, cortisol will actually drop. 

This is known as the Negative Feedback Loop.

And, according to the University of New Hampshire:

People who experience chronic stress, however, become more resistant to the signals that tell the body to “chill out” (the negative feedback loop). Because of this, the body will continue to release CRH and ACTH which leads to the adrenal glands over-producing stress hormones.

If a stressor is long-lasting or intense, the body’s resources can become depleted, leading to exhaustion or “burnout.” When the body is chronically stressed, the increased production of stress hormones compromises the immune system and can lead to significant mental and physical health problems.

The body is trying to compensate, it’s desiring to get back to a level of homeostasis so cortisol drops.

Another way to look at it is this:

“High cortisol happens when the body perceives a stressor,” says Dr. Tara Scott, a functional medicine doctor. “Your brain doesn’t know if you are running from a bear or have a deadline at work.”

“Low cortisol occurs after prolonged stress, when your body sends a negative feedback signal to the brain saying, ‘We have plenty of cortisol down here, don’t stimulate more production!’” Scott says. 

Source

(ALSO, see the Four Faces of Adrenal Burnout HERE. Notice how after stage 2, cortisol then drops.) 

Adrenal Cortisol Support

Click HERE to save this article on adrenal cortisol support for later.

If you’ve stuck around this long, then chances are strong that you don’t have healthy cortisol levels and you’re wondering, “Now what?”

Well, this was me, too.

Again, to see my FULL adrenal journey, just join THIS, where I show you lab results.

​My cortisol levels are so low that I medical treatment is required. For this, I am taking a prescription for hydrocortisone. 

In the adrenal journey, I share the exact cortisol support supplements I’m taking.

But my goal here is to provide you with science-backed dietary supplement options for low​ cortisol production that’s resulting anything but a normal adrenal response.

9 Cortisol Supplements for Healthy Adrenal Function

1. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
2. Rhodiola rosea
3. Asian Ginseng (Panax ginseng)
4. Vitamin C
5. Magnesium
6. Holy Basil Leaf (Ocimum sanctum)
7. Phosphatidylserine (PS)
8. Omega-3 fatty acids
9. Licorice root

Sources: HERE and HERE

​You can get the magnesium HERE.

For the other 8 adrenal gland support supplements that can have a beneficial effect on your healing, I have dropped them in my Fullscript Online Dispensary. Once you’re signed up just see, “Sarah Kay Hoffman’s Favorites.” [List: Hormones + Adrenal Glands] 

BTW – for low cortisol, I’m also taking a minimum of 1, sometimes 2 packets of LMNT daily.

And now you might be asking, “What about DHEA? I’ve heard that’s good, too.“

​You’d be correct.

This is my next topic coming soon: DHEA Adrenal Fatigue.

Finally, and this is so important: There is no amount of adrenal support supplement that will completely replace your LIFESTYLE.

This medical condition requires an overhaul. 

I have put together all the lifestyle pieces for you in Gut Healing: ELEVATED.

Come join us, and let’s explore together.

If you liked this article on adrenal cortisol support, you might also enjoy:

1. Vitamin B Complex vs B12 Injections
2. Energy levels + a Personalized Weight Loss Plan for My Body
3. Stress Relief: Yoga vs Meditation

Xox,

SKH

Disclaimer: As always, remember that I am not a doctor. And I don’t play one on the Internet. But I am a holistic health coach. I have had years of training via different courses and certifications. And I have LIVED experience with those topics I teach and preach on. Make sure to work with your healthcare practitioner for any health condition you might be dealing with. Whether it’s an adrenal supplement, gut health supplement or general health care question, get the necessary professional guidance you need.