Recognizing the Stages of Adrenal Dysfunction
Recognizing the Stages of Adrenal Dysfunction
The resistance phase is a common response to chronic stress and manifests as high cortisol levels. If the chronic stress persists, the next phase is known as the exhaustion phase, and manifests as low cortisol levels. One could then think of these phases as a tendency towards either Cushing’s syndrome (high cortisol) or Addison’s syndrome (low cortisol).
Sign or Symptom |
Exhaustion Phase Tendency(Low Cortisol) |
Resistance Phase Tendency(High Cortisol) |
| Blood pressure | Low | High |
| Body weight | Difficulty putting on muscle | Truncal fat deposition |
| Hair | Decreased body/facial hair | Increased body/facial hair |
| Musculoskeletal | Arthritis | Osteoporosis |
| Blood sugar | Low (hypoglycemic) | High (insulin resistance or diabetes) |
| Skin | Dry | Acne |
| Sweat/Secretions | Scanty | Excessive |
| Cholesterol | Low total cholesterol | High triglycerides |
