Have you been experiencing a long period of low energy and fatigue you can’t explain? Did it follow a period of major stress – or a series of minor stressors – in your life? Have your doctors not been able to arrive at a satisfactory medical diagnosis for your condition? Do you wake up feeling exhausted or run down even after a full night’s sleep?
Adrenal fatigue can happen to anyone – regardless of age, gender or overall health – but it is more common in women. There are contributing medical and lifestyle factors that can increase your chances of developing the condition. Severe injury, a major life crisis or ongoing stressors can lead to Adrenal Fatigue, as can certain medications, substance abuse, chronic illness or even pregnancy.
If you are struggling with Adrenal Fatigue, working with a functional medicine doctor who understands the complexity of adrenal function is the most important step you can take. To learn more about Adrenal Fatigue and how we diagnose and treat it, contact us online or call ☎ (631) 600-7950 to schedule your initial consultation.
Adrenal Fatigue is a constellation of symptoms that can develop when your adrenal glands are not functioning properly. It’s generally not defined by a single easily identifiable symptom, but rather an identifiable set of symptoms. It is a syndrome that can severely impact your overall health, energy levels and quality of life.
The adrenal glands release hormones your body utilizes to cope with stressful conditions and your body’s response to stress – including everything from response and energy production to heart rate and metabolic function. Adrenal Fatigue often develops when your adrenal glands have been overworked until they malfunction or no longer secrete the levels of hormones required for your body to function properly.
Physical, emotional and even social stressors – particularly if they are major life stressors or lesser stressors that persist over time - can trigger adrenal dysfunction. When the adrenal glands function below the level needed to manage the stressors, that’s when Adrenal Fatigue can begin to develop.
Adrenal Fatigue can also be triggered by any of the following risk factors, alone or in combination, including:
How do you know if you have Adrenal Fatigue? Your adrenal glands are involved in a wide assortment of bodily functions, so it may be difficult for some medical professionals to connect the dots in diagnosing Adrenal Fatigue. Body aches coupled with digestive issues may not even seem related. That’s why working with an experienced Adrenal Fatigue specialist is key.
There are certain telltale symptoms, when we see them occurring together, that signal the likelihood that adrenal dysfunction is involved, including:
If you have no obvious physical or mental illness to explain your extended fatigue, low energy levels or any combination of the symptoms listed above, Adrenal Fatigue could be at the root – especially if you are noticeably functioning at a level below what you were able to achieve previously.
Adrenal Fatigue involves hormonal imbalances that can cause fatigue, weight gain or loss and any of the symptoms listed above. Adrenal insufficiency is a medical condition often linked to weight loss and not weight gain. Adrenal tumors can cause weight gain by overproducing hormones.
Adrenal hormones include steroid and adrenaline hormones like aldosterone and cortisol. Your adrenal glands also produce precursors that are converted to sex steroids such as estrogen and androgen. Adrenal Fatigue results from the decreased function of your adrenal glands over time.
The medical diagnosis of "Adrenal Insufficiency," on the other hand, refers to your body’s insufficient production of one or more of the adrenal hormones, which can result from a variety of causes, ranging from surgery to underlying medical conditions. Adrenal insufficiency can be diagnosed by stimulation tests and blood tests that measure levels of adrenal hormones. The symptoms of adrenal insufficiency can include fatigue, unexplained weight loss, hyperpigmentation, low blood pressure and hair loss.
Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue may be similar but will not always mirror Adrenal Insufficiency. It’s important to note that even if testing shows that your adrenal hormone levels are normal, you may still be suffering from Adrenal Fatigue.
At your initial consultation, we will take a complete medical history and conduct a comprehensive assessment of your symptoms. An experienced Adrenal Fatigue doctor will know to take a close look at your family history and genetic issues, current medical conditions and medications, as well as conduct hormone testing and other necessary tests. We typically perform tests to rule out other conditions with similar symptom profiles, as well as testing that is helpful in diagnosing Adrenal Fatigue. The right adrenal hormone level testing is critical. Our adrenal testing options could potentially involve:
As part of a comprehensive evaluation, we may also test sex hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Your adrenal glands and the endocrine system that produces sex hormones are closely connected, and stress can affect the function of both systems, leading to imbalances in sex hormones. DHEA, which is a key adrenal hormone, is a precursor to both testosterone and estrogen. Measuring DHEA and its metabolites can show us how well your adrenal glands are functioning in producing these crucial sex hormones.
We may also test your thyroid hormone levels since thyroid and adrenal function are also connected. Also, thyroid issues can mimic or coexist with adrenal conditions. It is helpful to rule out a thyroid condition as the root of your symptoms.
If you are experiencing some of the telltale symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue, our goal is to thoroughly investigate and uncover the source of your symptoms, so that we can effectively diagnose and treat your condition.
After we review the results of your evaluation and testing, we can determine the best course of treatment. The approach is based entirely on your specific symptoms and what we feel is needed to successfully treat your condition.
Our functional medicine approach to treatment for Adrenal Fatigue encompasses an array of treatment options, rather than just one particular treatment. It is focused on managing the risk factors, symptoms and health risks associated with Adrenal Fatigue, as well as the root causes. Primary treatment tools can include:
Our course of treatment for Adrenal Fatigue will vary with each individual patient.
Yes, it is safe. We will discuss all of your safety concerns at our first session, after looking at your medical history and any specific risk factors in your case, before proceeding with any type of Adrenal Fatigue Treatment.
Before your first session, we always take a medical history and review any medications, supplements or herbal medications you’re taking, as well as assess any particular allergies, contraindications or medical needs you may have. We will discuss your specific symptoms and develop a personalized Adrenal Fatigue Treatment Plan designed just for you.
Results vary among individuals. You may see a difference within days with some treatments. The specific symptoms we’re addressing and the effects you’re seeking matter – as does your treatment plan, age and genetics.
You may remain on one or many Adrenal Fatigue Treatments for as long as it's benefiting your symptoms and not causing health issues. The duration of results depends on the symptoms being addressed and the treatments used.
At your initial consultation, we will take a full medical history and determine together with you if you would be a good candidate for one or more of our Adrenal Fatigue Treatment options
For more questions about Adrenal Fatigue Treatment, speak with our experts today to see if this is the best approach for you. Call us at ☎ (631) 600-7950.
A Brooklyn, New York native, Dr. Rutman graduated with honors in biology from Binghamton University then pursued his medical education at New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his residency in emergency medicine at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx, where he excelled as chief resident and received recognition for his teaching abilities and patient care skills. He has been serving as an attending physician in emergency medicine for over 15 years at St Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson, New York, and other institutions.
As a member of the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians and board certified by the American Board of Osteopathic Emergency Medicine, Dr. Rutman brings a wealth of knowledge to his work with his patients. Recognizing the importance of weight management and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in promoting overall health and wellness, Dr. Rutman has undergone specialized training to become an expert in both fields with the goal of helping each patient achieve the best possible health outcomes through an informed, healthy lifestyle.
Begin your Adrenal Fatigue Treatment journey today! Call ☎ (631) 600-7950 or contact us online for your initial Adrenal Fatigue consultation.
