The Adrenals are two small walnut-shaped glands sitting on top of each kidney. Prolonged emotional stress, poor sleep quality, blood sugar fluctuations, and inflammation can burn out your adrenal glands and cause fatigue. This diagram illustrates the common pattern of the hormone cortisol through the stages of adrenal exhaustion. The total cortisol levels rise and then fall as the stages of exhaustion progress from left to right.
Adrenal fatigue is manifested in three stages.
Stage 1: Acute Adrenal Stress
A “Superman Complex”
This stage is caused by a high-stress reaction such as divorce, high-stress job, loss of job, loss of a loved one, major personal injury, or the birth of a child. These reactions increase cortisol levels and decrease the DHEA hormone. Elevated Cortisol causes sleep disturbances, insomnia, and immune suppression. Phosphatidylserine, Adaptogens, Theanine, and Skullcap are used to calm the adrenal glands.
Myers’ Cocktail and Glutathione are given once a week for five weeks to calm the adrenals down. “Reduce and Relax” is the primary emphasis.
Stage 2: Mild Adrenal Fatigue
“Sometimes Cranky”
In this stage, cortisol levels decline throughout the day but rise at night. Cortisol rhythm becomes irregular, and other hormonal irregularities occur. Depression, sweet cravings, decreased sex drive, insomnia, poor memory, anxiety, recurrent infections, inability to lose or gain weight, and joint or muscle pain are the manifestations of this stage. High-dose IV Vitamin C, Glutathione, Adaptogens, Licorice, and Adrenal Concentrate are given in this stage. “Rest and Restore” is the primary emphasis.
Stage 3: High Adrenal Fatigue
“Down & Out”
In this crash stage, the adrenals fail to meet the needs and can no longer produce cortisol. Therefore, the cortisol level is low all day and all night. Chronic fatigue and inability to perform routine daily activities or work-related duties will occur. High-dose IV Vitamin C, Glutathione, Adapagens, Licorice, and Adrenal Concentrate are given in this stage. The primary emphasis is “Revive and Resuscitate.”
Adrenal Function Evaluation
Cortisol level is evaluated through collections of four saliva samples: upon awakening, lunchtime, mid-afternoon, and before bedtime.
Treatment for Adrenal Fatigue
At the Health and Vitality Center in Los Angeles, one of the ways we support the adrenal glands is through IV vitamin therapy.
For stage 1 of adrenal fatigue, Doctor Lalezar would recommend the Myers’ Cocktail, a Vitamin IV therapy of Magnesium and B Vitamins to calm the adrenals, reduce the production of cortisol, and alleviate stress.
For stages 2 and 3 of adrenal fatigue, we use Vitality drip, which consists of 15-30 grams of vitamin C, minerals, B vitamins, Zinc, Chromium, Magnesium, and Calcium. High-dose vitamin C replenishes the adrenal glands.
Additionally, we may recommend IV Glutathione which consists of three amino acids and is a very powerful antioxidant to support the adrenal glands. Different oral supplements may also be recommended for different stages of Adrenal Insufficiency.
As a last resort, Doctor Lalezar may prescribe physiologic doses of Hydrocortisone to help heal the adrenal glands and counteract fatigue. Please refer to Dr. William Jeffries’s book “Safe Uses of Cortisol.”
Learn about Adrenal Fatigue Treatments:
Call the Health & Vitality Center of Los Angeles at 310-477-1166 or click here to schedule an appointment. Doctor Shiva Lalezar will treat the underlying causes of your Adrenal Fatigue. She employs an integrative approach, combining the best conventional therapies with the latest techniques and treatments in Functional Medicine for optimal results.
We are one of the leading centers for natural medicine in Los Angeles and have many years of experience treating fatigue. Doctor Shiva Lalezar treats your adrenal fatigue holistically and will shortly get you back to normal.
Our practice uses an integrative approach, combining the best conventional therapies with the latest techniques and treatments in Functional Medicine for optimal results.