Guest Author - Jim Lowrance

Many Doctors only recognize the most severe form of adrenal hypo-function called Addisons’ Disease or full blown adrenal insufficiency and they base whether or not a patient has this potentially life-threatening form, via the "ACTH Stimulation Test". The problem is that many people have a less severe form called adrenal fatigue or adrenal exhaustion and though these patients nearly always pass the ACTH Stimulation Test, they still have inadequate adrenal hormone levels that show up clearly on lab tests and though it is not life-threatening, it still causes concerning symptoms that can seriously affect quality of life.

The National Institutes of Health, while studying Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, found "low cortisol" to be a factor in it as well and in one of these studies, they made this statement; "Doctors have long known that even subtle deficiencies in cortisol can be associated with lethargy and fatigue."

The "NIAMS" (arthritis etc...) Division of the National Institutes of Health also recognizes low cortisol in Fibromyalgia. Other studies they've published on the PubMed/National Libraries of Medicine website, also recognize low cortisol in PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorders). The fact is, adrenal fatigue can be a factor in these and other chronic diseases/syndromes but other times is stress-related or not related to anything specific.

One major virus that other NIH studies have concluded as being highly associated with CFS, which also has low cortisol as a feature, is the Epstein-Barr Virus which causes monolucleosis. I had a severe case of mononucleosis as a kid, at about age-10 and have always believed there is a connection of it, to both my thyroid disease and CFS.

When I was optimized on HRT but continued to have symptoms, some that were not typical of thyroid, including; severe post exertion malaise, swollen neck lymph nodes, orthostatic hypotension and chemical sensitivities, I decided to get tested for EBV. I had read so much about research that suggests the possibility that EBV like others in the herpes virus family, can flare-up in persons with a compromised or deficient immune system (immune dysfunction). My EBV/IGG result was "218" with the normal range being <20 (less than twenty). This means my EBV count was more than 10 times the normal cut-off range.

While a large percent of the population tests positive for EBV (statistics estimate 80%), titers as high as mine are not common, unless a person is actually experiencing active monolucleosis. In my case, I feel the EBV has a connection to both my Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and CFS. The NIH also has research published on the PubMed website that associates EBV with autoimmune thyroiditis.

The most important thing, if you feel you may have adrenal fatigue, is to be tested for it because other hormone imbalances and illnesses cause similar symptoms. Some pharmacies are now carrying saliva hormone testing kits, including ones that test adrenal hormones (cortisol), so you may want to check around for these.

The passion I have in the area of adrenal fatigue, besides experiencing it myself, as part of CFS and thyroid disease is the fact that far too many studies and reputable organizations recognize it. This includes the "Fibro & Fatigue Centers", located in 15 states, that are staffed by Board Certified MDs from just about every field of medicine. This plus the fact that there are U.S. Government health studies that have also concluded that there are low-cortisol syndromes or well established sub-clinical forms of adrenal hypo-function, that could all be referred to under the term; "adrenal fatigue".