Why Are You So Tired? Two Major Hormones Could Be To Blame

Even if you are getting eight hours of quality sleep every night, you may still be battling fatigue and trying to figure out why. There are many possible underlying causes, including anemia, sleep apnea, depression, food allergies, infectious diseases and chronic fatigue syndrome. The neuroendocrine system, with its complex chemical and hormonal balance, can also play a major role in determining your energy levels. Let’s take a closer look at two of these critical hormone glands—the adrenals and the thyroid. Problems with these two hormones are quite common but are often overlooked in conventional medicine. They are relatively easy to identify with a thorough history and appropriate lab tests, and can be successfully treated with naturopathic medicine to help you feel great again.

Adrenals
The adrenal glands are small walnut-sized glands that sit on top of the kidneys in the mid-back. They produce cortisol, also known as the stress response hormone. They help you to survive during life-threatening crises and then are able to recover during times of rest. However, modern life is so demanding that, with one crisis after another, the adrenals sometimes just can’t keep up.

When you face a stressful situation, cortisol levels increase to shift the body into crisis survival mode. During this “fight or flight” response, the heart rate and blood pressure rise, blood sugar is released from storage, eyes widen and the senses sharpen. After the stress has passed, cortisol drops, the body returns to normal, and the digestive and immune systems can resume their regular function.

Cortisol is also largely responsible for your circadian rhythm. There is a natural increase in production in the morning to help you “get up and go.” Levels taper down in the afternoon and then drop at night to allow for restful sleep.

Your body can adapt quite well to acute stress followed by periods of calm and relaxation. However, in the face of chronic stress, a condition called adrenal fatigue can occur. In the early phases, there will be high cortisol or a dysregulated daily rhythm. This results in a “tired but wired” feeling, which drives many people to consume caffeine and sugar for energy boosts. In the later stages of adrenal fatigue, cortisol is very low all day long, and the fatigue can be quite severe.

Thyroid
The thyroid gland is in the lower part of the neck, just below the Adam’s apple, but many parts of the body are important in helping it to work. A pituitary hormone from the brain called thyroid stimulating hormone, or TSH, controls its function. The TSH level is an indirect indicator and is the inverse of thyroid activity. When the thyroid is underactive it requires more stimulation, and TSH levels will be higher. When the thyroid is responding correctly, it produces T4 and T3 hormones, which are critical in regulating metabolism. T4 can also be converted into the more active T3 by the liver and kidneys.

Problems with thyroid function can arise at several different steps in the process. Nutritional deficiencies, such as iodine and selenium, can cause low production and improper conversion of thyroid hormones. In some cases, there may be excess levels of the proteins that bind and carry hormones through the blood, preventing these hormones from being active. In other cases, the immune system may produce autoantibodies that interfere with thyroid function.

Hypothyroidism is too often missed on standard tests because the normal ranges are quite wide, and most doctors only test for TSH. When someone has hypothyroid symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, dryness or low body temperature, they might have “subclinical hypothyroidism,” even if their TSH is in the normal range. In these cases, it is important to look at the complete picture using more comprehensive tests.

Finding Answers for Your Fatigue
As you struggle to find answers for your fatigue, know that these are just two of the many causes. A naturopathic assessment, including an in-depth interview and thorough testing, can help determine the underlying causes in your case. Your fatigue can then be individually addressed through lifestyle counseling, stress management, diet, nutritional and herbal medicines and hormone therapy when appropriate. If you are looking for a holistic approach to help you feel healthy and energized, please give us a call.

Learn about Adrenal/Thyroid Testing