Just Tired? Or Something More? Take This Quick Test
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Are you tired all the time–wondering if it is just normal — or if it is something more? Here's an adrenal fatigue test that can help give you a clue to what is going on in your body.
Though it is not discussed much in mainstream medicine circles, adrenal fatigue is on the rise.
In fact, I think that it is now affecting people in our Western societies in epidemic proportions.
Including me.
How can you find out if you have it or not without breaking the bank?
Well, I have for you what is perhaps the best and easiest test of all.
It's a great test, but one that you may wish that you never took because so many of us these days will fail it.
However, knowing you have a problem means you are on the way to a cure.
So while this isn't a true diagnostic test of a medical condition, it's an interesting thing to consider and it will for sure get you thinking about how you keep yourself going.
Adrenal Fatigue Test
Again, this “test” isn't going to lead to a real medical diagnosis, but it is helpful to see the workings of your body and gives clues about what you might want to change.
Here is the test:
Do you rely on stimulants to keep you going? If you feel you really can't exist without stimulants, then you might have an adrenal problem.
That's it.
Oh boy. Stimulants?
“What do you mean”, you ask, “stimulants? I don't take illegal drugs, so what are you talking about?”
Well, how about this list of things that can get your adrenals going — and keep them going.
Stimulant List aka “Adrenal Crutches”
- caffeine (still trying to get off coffee or chocolate? Here's a great coffee substitute recipe that can help.)
- exercise (do you feel that you need to get a run in or you can't make it through the day?)
- sugar (do you keep reaching for sweets for the temporary energy boost that they give you? Check out What is Candida and Why I Went Sugar Free.)
- stress (do you push everything to the last minute, feeding off the adrenaline rush that you get from deadlines?)
- busyness (gotta keep running from one thing to the next to keep life interesting? This post on “Best Autism Therapy” has a tip for you.)
Really anything that “stokes your fire” is a stimulant.
We are not designed to be constantly under stress. Our bodies need rest from all the stimuli in our lives.
Now, that doesn't mean that we shouldn't have any stress in our lives. In fact, we can't live without any stress. But clearly, we have been overdoing it. I have been overdoing it my whole life. How about you?
In the future, I will be (slowly and with as little stress as possible :-)) sharing with you how I have been working both on my own and with practitioners to get my adrenals back in balance. I will also be giving you tips on how I am trying to reduce my dependence on all of the above stimulants — and how you can too!
We all need to be taking better care of ourselves. Body. Soul. Mind.
Other Health Posts You Might Like:
– Could You Have Heavy Metal Poisoning and Not Know It?
– Which Best Essential Oils Company is Best?
– Natural Ear Infection Remedies
How did you do on the test?
Which stimulant do you need to work on giving up first?
Generally I love your posts. But this time, I’m failing to see the credibility of the source. An accupuncturist? I’m sorry, but that profession does not fall in to the “scientifically credible” group of people for me.
I’m having a hard time believing that excitement in your life is a bad thing. Most people, even way back when there was time to sit under a hammock, got more exercise on a daily basis than we do because there was a lot more to do for yourself. I don’t need caffeine, excercize, sugar, or stress. But I do like to stay busy. And as long as those things are a positive influence in your life, I don’t see the problem. For me, I like to garden, cook, and read on the internet. If that’s bad, then maybe I don’t WANT to fix it. Besides, I’m having a hard time taking this advice seriously for the reasons mentioned above, no offense.
Hi Tanya. Well, there’s a lot I could say here, but I will try to explain as briefly as possible. First of all, an acupuncturist is regarded as a medical professional in CA, which is where Theresa Vernon lives. That being said, I know that some are better qualified than others in different matters. Theresa has also trained w/ a master of Chinese Medicine. She is not perfect, but she is very smart and I am continually impressed by her expertise and that is not easily done w/ me. I was Pre Med at one of the top universities in the country and was at the top of my class (not #1, but near there.) Anyway, if you peruse Theresa’s site and read articles she has written, you can see that she is not just blowing smoke about metals and the like.
She had a desperate physical situation and doing Nutritional Balancing, has been healed and her epilepsy is gone as well. Her son was severely mentally ill and is now a practicing chiropractor.
Too much bad or good excitement is not a good thing. It all revs up your adrenals and taxes them. That, together w congenital issues, dietary issues and toxins, creates a perfect storm for adrenal failure. Some of us are more susceptible than others, but it is truly something to watch.
Regarding your statement of “I don’t WANT to fix it”, I can completely understand. I don’t want to curb my exercise, my level of activity, my internet usage at night, my late night habits….and I really didn’t want to curb my sugar intake. But it has all become necessary.
Theresa’s work is based on the work of Paul Eck, a physician who studied hair mineral and heavy metal patterns of over 200,000 patients. It is clearly fascinating. I have not dug into it as much as I hope to but I have had a lot of progress. I hope to learn and share more.
Blessings…..I am glad you wrote and were honest. But I can tell you that one conversation w/ Theresa and you will see that she knows her stuff.
Hi Adrienne,
I think this is truly interesting. However, I do like to see actual tests and proven results before I believe things, especially if they don’t agree with the lifestyle that makes me feel good and/or the knowledge I’ve already gained. I am interested in learning more about this topic, but skeptical is my default mode. Do you have any references you can share? Of course, I can look them up myself, but if you have them off the top of your head that would make it easier (I do like to be lazy when I can). Sometimes I feel like people turn themselves into living science experiments, which is fine, as long as you understand the risks. But I don’t like to share information with other people until I’m sure that I can back it up with facts.
Tanya, I need to pull dinner together and will be out this evening. Tell me what you are interested in. I am going to be interviewing Theresa. There are other things that I look at as well and believe me – I have been through a lot. I too am a skeptic at heart. I just really need to be well and this is working for me better than whatever else I was doing. I assume you perused Theresa’s site. I know it’s not got tons of info but it is interesting. I can maybe fwd you an article and you can google Paul Eck on the internet. Let me know your thoughts. I do know adrenal fatigue and burnout is real. Theresa told me all of her patients who happened to have cancer were all in burnout. I personally also feel that a lot of mainstream medicine is more harmful than most alternative and that a lot of it makes us truly into “living science experiments” as you call it :-). Have you read my posts on the FDA? You would find them interesting I think.
I had a hair test to diagnose my adrenal fatigue. The hair indicated I have aluminum toxicity. Incidentally, two grandparents died from Alzheimer’s (known to result from aluminum), and this considering I don’t eat canned food, use foil, or cook in aluminum cookware for this reason. I do wear antiperspirant. My genetic tests confirmed the Alzheimer’s genes which probably means I have a higher propensity to suffer from aluminum poisoning, and my doctors blood test recently confirmed my 23andme gene test. So… In the end, I’d say the hair test is probably a good baseline.
I would personally ditch the antiperspirant. I am going to be recommending a product. LMK if you are interested.
I have a diagnosis of adrenal fatigue through a salivary test (cost $180). I am also corn & wheat gluten intolerant, so I’m gearing up for GAPS. I’m also trying essential oils to help with healing the adrenals – Young Living’s Endoflex brand. I find I have more energy for the entire day without the 3pm crash. I will look at Theresa Vernon’s web site, too. Thanks for posting about your own journey. We all have much to learn from each other.
Diana, where in the body you apply the Endoflex and how many drops?. I know NaN has similar calls Vitality but wondering how Endoflex worked using topically .Please let me know where are and how much you applied.Thank you
That’s interesting you are doing well with Theresa’s guidance. I have gotten a lot worse, and have heard from one of her ‘famous’ clients that she is still in adrenal burnout five years after working with her.
One question: Did she find that you had high copper levels? That’s what she told me, even though mine were very low.
Anyway, I guess we’re all different, and am glad you’re better.
Hello Kelly. I would be very interested in corresponding with you. Feel free to send me an email at wholenewmom at gmail dot com. I was told I had copper and my son’s was the highest she had every seen.
Take care and I look forward to hearing from you.
Oh, I forgot coconut oil. Yum.
Dietary recommendations for adrenal fatigue I got from an NCNM-educated ND are:
DO NOT eat junk food, fast food, caffeinated anything, sugar or any sweeteners in any form (except stevia herb), fruit juice, booze, anything with any kind of flour.
EAT: mega protein, from the cleanest, closest-to-local dead animal (sorry, but it is better than being dead yourself) sources you can find, with every meal. Especially important at breakfast. Protein powders, like hemp and brown rice, are good, too. Poached eggs are great. Be careful with dairy as many people cannot eat it without developing symptoms. (I can get away with one 6 oz. goat yogurt every few weeks.)
EAT: mega veggies. Limit starchy ones (potatoes, “yams,” sweet corn, peas to golf-ball sized portion once every few weeks. Eat raw and cooked vegetables WITH EVERY MEAL.
EAT: mega fat. If you are hungry eating this way, you are not eating enough fat. EVOO, flax oil, hemp oil, pumpkin seed oil, pasture butter, avocados, nuts and seeds.
EAT: fresh fruit in season, not more than one serving/day. Eat it with a protein source.
EAT: whole grains/beans in small quantities (less than 1/2 c. per meal). Although she didn’t say it, soaking is probably a good idea.
Eating like this has helped me a lot. I haven’t deviated much in four years because I hate the way bad food (like most traditional American food) makes me feel.
I have fibro too, and the things that help me deal the best are clean diet as described above, Feldenkrais, and this incredible product called DermaMag that lets you absorb magnesium through your skin.
I have been dealing with this stuff for almost 20 years, and I really feel for people who are stuck in the pits of bad health. I do believe it can get substantially better if you keep working at it.
NDs are the best I have found in dealing with adrenal issues. They can give you herbs and homeopathics to help you feel good enough to get up and cook. They are unfortunately not too clued in or up to date about fibro, but can still help.
I hope this helps someone out there.
Thanks, Karina. Great assortment of things to try. Glad you are feeling so much better!
Karina, I realize it has been several months but I find your post very inspiring. I was wondering if you could give me an update or perhaps we could chat further. If so I would be happy to share my info.
P.s. Adrienne I love the information that has cone from your sharing. Keep it up.
Adrienne, No, I do not do the whole shebang, because I have found I don’t succeed trying to fit into someone elses habits-so to speak. Currently I take the supplements that fit from the book, but will be weening off some of them as I run out if I continue to do ok. I have adapted the eggnog from the Teeth book (I love eggnog any way)I use about a cup of homemade milk keifer, 2 eggs, raw milk, a sweetner, and from there I may add fruit, or what ever I have or just vanilla and nutmeg. I have added broth and fermented foods from the Nourishing Traditons to our diet. I’m still learning a lot about it and some things i’m trying creative ways to tolerate ..like liver! I have been grinding it with other recommended organ meats into my hamburger meat-I have my local shop do the grinding. 3/4 of the meat is the hamburger. I try to use the butter in cooking instead of plain and I have to have a drink of water to get that cod liver oil down, but I have found it makes enough of a difference to keep on. We don’t get the recommended amount per week from the tooth book, but I feel so much better it will be worth it to continue to add what works.
Very nice. Some of those are changes I need to make. And some others. Onward to better health….:-).
Adrienne,I did not follow the diet in the book lol, but it has a hormone test and suggestions on how to rebuild your low areas. It also explains what different supplements do and how. The adreanals are responsible for a lot of hormone function, so that is where I started (and during that time I stopped exersising and went off the vegan and vegetarinan). I did that for about a year, and felt tons better then I came across what I call “old lady yoga” it is a much gentler form of yoga with a lot of chair yoga, again feeling better. Then about 6 months ago I wanted to know why teeth don’t heal if bones do…ended up finding Nourishing Traditions and Dr Weston Price info. Dr Price found native cultures with perfect teeth had perfect health. Have been working on that and am feeling the best yet.
Interesting. I have scaled way back on exercise, stopped being a vegan (I wasn’t strict, but pretty close) and am taking supplements. I haven’t done yoga, however. I’d love to read that. I tried the WAPF teeth healing protocol but found it very rough. I can handle the butter oil but the marrow was awful. Are you doing the whole shebang for the teeth? I honestly contacted Rami once and sadly found him to be not pleasant.
Just throwing in my 2 cents worth. About 2 years ago I figured out I had adrenal fatigue, with symptoms I remember as long as 15 years prior. I had tried many things to feel better before I knew–like exersise, vegetarinan and vegan. After intensly researching it online I found all those listed as harmful to adrenal fatigue. I finally came across the Hormome Diet by Dr Natash Turner. She only has about 2 pages on it, but those 2 pages were life changing for me. It has taken 2 years, but I feel better than I have in 20. Good Luck to you all.
Pam. My sentiments exactly. So many things make one feel better in the short term, but from what I am reading, they contribute towards adrenal fatigue. I will check out the book. I’d love to know what you did. I am feeling better but not always. From what I understand it’s a deep healing and is going to take time. Thanks in advance!
Hi, I have been Dx with adrenal fatigue as well. I have so many supplements for my children and I on the counter that it looks like a natural food store. I would love to learn more about metal toxicity. I am reading the book “what is eating you child”. It is wonderful. We added zinc to my sons diet along with cruciferous blend tablets (doesn’t eat veggies) Well, within 2 weeks he has tried broccoli, spinach, kale, and potatoes. None of them were his favorites but he was willing to eat them. He has a multi sensory disorder so the different textures and flavors in his mouth would make him ill. By taking this it has helped so much. Now if I could just help with his depression and anxiety. Any words of wisom on that? Thanks for all your tips and recipes. We are trying to go whole food. It is so much less expensive to eat crummy. Thanks for showing me how to do it affordable.
Hi Julie. If you have specific questions I’d be happy to try. My son is dealing with a lot of anxiety too right now. I am also just starting working with essential oils. Have you looked into those yet? I am currently experimenting with the DoTerra line and I’ll be posting more about it soon. I am really impressed with their products.
Thanks for your kind words. Please stay in touch. If you have a specific question I can answer it in my Q&A post (I’m overdue for one of those) or on my Facebook page. You can email me at wholenewmom at gmail dot com. Thanks!
What was your experience working with Theresa Vernon. Please email me (email deleted by blog owner) thx!
emailed :). Thanks for reading!
I had my second visit to a naturopath today and after analysing my blood work and saliva/urine test, he said I have liver dysfunction, heavy metal body burden and oxidative stress.
My question is do you guys have to go through something called Comprehensive ALCAT (blood ) sensitivity allergy testing and hormone profile (saliva ) testing? The ALCAT test is $1200 and the other test is for $300. Does that sound right?
I also got a comprehensive list of stuff to take like Min-Col/calcium intake/DGST and other 10 things. I am very overwhelmed with all the terms thrown at me.
If anybody can tell me or guide me regarding the tests, I would appreciate it.
Hi Sofia.
Are you working on adrenal burnout? I did go to another few physicians who wanted me to go do all this, but I am finally getting healing without all of it. I am working w/ Theresa Vernon. You can visit her site through the link on this post: Adrenal Fatigue Test. (That’s the one you were on). Anyway, I have no idea about all the testing and I am sure that there is more than one way to heal from this but I can tell you I am geting better. I would think about calling her and asking her what she thinks. I can pass along another article she’s written if you’d like to read it.
I have taken the ALCAT twice now, and yes, it is incredibly expensive. If you want to save the money, you can accomplish the same thing (in my opinion) by doing the GAPS diet. It is more work on your part, but very healthy and cost effective. My doctor made me take the test a second time (It has been almost two years since the first) while I was on GAPS. I wish I had refused, as you find out just what your sensitivities are by doing Intro. I refer you to the GAPS book by Dr. Natasha Campbell McBride and her website, GAPS.me
Kris
Hi,
Thanks for all of your helpful comments. I am going to research all you have said, folks. I am planning to get my amalgams removed as I suspect problems with mercury, and also adrenal fatigue. Anyway, I took the Alcat. The problem was that there were the foods you were highly sensitive to in your gut, medium, less and not. Then you have to go on a rotation diet. The doc told me her patient lost 19 lbs. in a month. No such thing for me and I felt I would go crazy trying to rotate foods every day. I found it easier to be on the 500 calorie hcg diet, which worked, but then when I went on maintanence my body put on a pound a day. Anyway, this is not about weight loss. Nonetheless if you can manage the rotation and find it helpful to know what your gut doesn’t like go for it. I did not spend 1200 dollars. I think around 4 or 500. Irene
I would look at this post as well. https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/how-i-recovered-from-mercury-poisoning/