Adrenal insufficiency occurs when the adrenal glands cannot produce enough hormones, or when there is damage to the adrenal glands, or if there is a problem with the pituitary gland. Adrenal fatigue cannot be detected by any test, while adrenal insufficiency can be diagnosed through a series of blood tests.

While adrenal fatigue can be referred to as adrenal insufficiency, it should be noted that many physicians consider adrenal fatigue and adrenal insufficiency to be two different conditions. Those who abuse drugs and alcohol are also likely to develop adrenal fatigue. People such as shift workers, single parents, and students – especially those working while in school, are the most common types of people to develop adrenal fatigue. Studies have shown that you may be more likely to develop adrenal fatigue if you are in a stressful environment regularly. What is Adrenal Fatigue?Īdrenal fatigue is defined as “inadequate production of one or more of these hormones as a result of an underlying disease.” Adrenal fatigue has many names, and can sometimes be referred to as Adrenal Insufficiency or Addison’s Disease. Most adrenal-related disorders are caused by the adrenal glands producing either too much or too little of these hormones.

The adrenal glands produce two very important hormones called cortisol and aldosterone and also create other hormones such as adrenaline, and sex hormones called androgens. They also react to stressors such as an illness or injury. Your adrenal glands are located on the top of each kidney, and they produce hormones that aid in controlling blood sugar, burning protein and fat, and regulating blood pressure. Do you find yourself feeling exhausted and no amount of caffeine seems to help? Do you notice when you finally fall into bed at the end of the day, the Sandman is nowhere to be found? That could be a symptom of adrenal fatigue.

Overactive adrenaline gland