If you’re generally feeling unwell and fatigued, a naturopathic doctor may recommend that you get an adrenal test to look for patterns in your hormone levels. To learn about the adrenal system and what these tests entail, the holistic medical team at A Path to Natural Health in Issaquah, WA, shares some details, below. 

What Is Adrenal Testing?

Individuals who have adrenal issues show different symptoms that can be tough to decipher. To narrow down potential causes of these symptoms, like fatigue, a naturopathic doctor may perform a saliva test to ascertain your cortisol levels and learn how your adrenal and pituitary glands and hypothalamus react in times of stress. You’ll need to provide a saliva sample four times during the day to get an accurate picture of how your cortisol levels change over a period of time. 

The saliva test may be paired with CT scans of the stomach area to look for adrenal glands that are swollen, have shrunk, or may host calcium deposits. MRIs may also prove useful in looking at the pituitary gland to learn if it’s interrupting your adrenal functioning.

How Does Adrenal Testing Help?

Doctors will often recommend adrenal testing if a person is experiencing chronic fatigue. This could be a symptom of an issue like chronic stress, diabetes, depression, or Addison’s disease, an autoimmune disorder where the body attacks itself, wrecking the outside part of the adrenal glands which can reduce the amount of cortisol and aldosterone in the body. The condition leaves patients feeling exhausted, anemic, and more susceptible to passing bacteria and viruses. Tuberculosis can also cause adrenal problems and testing assesses whether this disease is present.

If you have chronic fatigue, seek help from a naturopathic doctor. These health care practitioners may recommend adrenal testing to ascertain if your hormone levels are normal and causing this exhaustion. If you’re interested in learning how holistic medicine helps with adrenal issues, call A Path to Natural Health at (425) 270-3047. Visit the website for information about their holistic approaches to wellness. They also provide acupuncture, gynecological exams, B12 injections, and food allergy assistance.