This is forever discussed, low cortisol, adrenal fatigue, etc. My cortisol is on the lower end and I work on that and now taking Panthethine B5 to support adrenals...Personally, over the years I've worked with adrenal supports of all types and now using the B5 to help support adrenals. This link discusses so much from foods, supplements, exercises to help adrenals. (grape seed ex is mentioned in the supplement area)

http://www.naturalways.com/adrenal.htm

The signs of "adrenal fatigue" in the link above look very vague to me. They could indicate many issues, including some which could need urgent attention from an evidence-based health professional.

In my opinion, as part of differential diagnosis, measurements of serum levels of the adrenal hormones (this is easy to do) should be the first step. If indicated from those measurements, a range of evidence-based treatments for adrenal gland function are available.

In my view, this is preferable to approaches like acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments and consuming a wide range of supplements, as suggested in the link. At best these approaches will probably be harmless but at worst they could be dangerous because the vague signs of "adrenal fatigue" could indicate a serious illness which has nothing to adrenal gland function.

Thanks for your thoughts Kiwi, my approach FIRST is the alternative one. Hard to break my 25+ yr habit.

Hi Caroline & Kiwi
Adrenal weakness (fatigue) is a topic that has become "forever discussed" - to the point that it has become the 'disease-de-jour'. When a condition becomes so prevalent that every other alternative supplement manufacturer has a 'cure-in-a-bottle', then it's time to reassess it's validity.

Adrenal Insufficiency on the other hand is a serious, potentially life-threatening medical condition which requires urgent medical treatment.

The following link explains the difference in more detail:
http://www.hormone.org/hormones-and-...drenal-fatigue

Caroline - you said your cortisol is on the lower end - was this a serum or urine test? what time of day was it done? was it fasting? have you had repeat tests done? Cortisol levels are so variable that relying on a single test for diagnosis is unreliable.

Then there is the high cortisol issue which I have friends who deal with this one. They take supps to get their cortisol levels down. Many as I gather from discussions with high cortisol deal with insomnia issues for one thing. And their own fatigue issues. A good friend deals with CFS/Malaise, she is forever crashing after some activity she does...She deals with high cortisol and works on that with supplements.

I've had serum testing on cortisol for probably close to 15 yrs and with aging it's come in lower...mornings are the worst. I have taken Cortef, Hydrocortisone and no longer want to work with these steroid type meds....so I have worked with so many adrenal supps including glandulars, adaptagens and I know licorice can raise cortisol but it can also elevate blood pressure, so I won't go there.

In the last few years off and on I've worked with Pantothenic Acid and now working with Pantothine to support adrenals. I'll be seeing my doctor for my annual check in and will mention it again. My mornings are the worst and the rest of day is OK, I don't bounce off the walls, but I manage. I don't sleep in the afternoon, as I sleep good at night.

I'm open to hear any suggestions from others.

But thinking about this, a lot of the of the world drinks their cup of java to get moving in the morning, I do. Doctor it up and use only organic.

adrenal fatigue is the termed used by alternative medicine, it doesnt have a scientific bases, becareful where you get health information from.

Hi Caroline

"I've had serum testing on cortisol for probably close to 15 yrs and with aging it's come in lower...mornings are the worst. "

I am concerned about this. Usually the circadian rhythm for cortisol is that its levels are highest in the morning.

This general information might help you the next time that you see your GP; http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2088826-overview .

I'm looking at cortisol from the other side of things. I was tested last year, and while still in the normal range, my cortisol runs on the high side in the morning.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/al...eripheral.html

Having adjusted my hormone intake last month, I'm now waking two to three hours earlier than normal, and am "buzzing" again. I can't help but wonder if this due to cortisol levels. I'm going to try a supplement to lower cortisol just to see what happens.

I assume it's possible my increase in estrogen intake last month is responsible for an increase in cortisol. Caroline, have you done anything hormone-wise to deal with your low cortisol?

http://www.maturitas.org/article/S03...258-2/abstract

"Cortisol levels showed a significant condition by intervention interaction. Post hoc tests showed that ERT significantly increased cortisol levels after treatment compared to baseline, while in the HRT group a trend toward increased cortisol was found. No changes were observed in IL-6 levels."

I increased my estrogen intake because it seems to be neuroprotective, and my neuropathy suspiciously started within a month after going off the birth control pill I'd been taking for 20 years. Unfortunately, I don't feel better SFN-wise.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2048656/

"This review demonstrates the remarkable body of work that has been conducted on the neuroprotective and neurotrophic actions of estrogen in the brain."

It's such a balancing act and so complex to manage to feel "good". Good as we can. So many factors including FOODS we put in our bodies. I felt so much better younger, with aging everything declines, so working to try to put back in what we are losing is a challenge, but I keep trying to feel as good as possible. Just to feel good ENOUGH.

One more comment here, looking up dairy products and adrenals, I found some info and zeroed in on this one for now. They mention the Starbucks on every corner in our cities now...that's true in my city. I don't drink Starbucks, never did. There are other good tips here.

http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.c...renal-fatigue/