About this condition
The adrenal glands produce cortisol, the body's primary stress hormone, and prolonged stress can affect this system in ways that show up as exhaustion, sleep problems, and other symptoms. Naturopathic doctors look at how stress may be affecting your body and work with you on a plan to support overall balance.
What a naturopathic doctor can do
- 24-hour salivary cortisol testing — identifies the pattern of cortisol dysregulation
- DHEA assessment
- Adaptogenic herbs (ashwagandha, rhodiola, eleuthero)
- Adrenal glandular support
- Blood sugar stabilization — blood sugar swings stress the adrenals
- Sleep optimization — cortisol is regulated by the sleep-wake cycle
- Stress load assessment and lifestyle modification
Also known as
Common questions
NDs use 24-hour salivary cortisol testing, which measures cortisol at 4 points across the day. This reveals the pattern of dysregulation — whether cortisol is too high, too low, or has a disrupted diurnal rhythm.
Mild to moderate HPA dysregulation typically responds within 3–6 months of consistent treatment. Severe burnout may take 12–18 months. The most important factor is reducing the ongoing stressors maintaining the dysregulation.
Yes, but intensity matters. High-intensity exercise further stresses the adrenals during recovery. Your ND will recommend appropriate activity — typically gentle movement until cortisol patterns normalize.