Is there such a thing as adrenal fatigue?

Answer From Ann Kearns, M.D., Ph.D.

Adrenal fatigue isn't an official medical diagnosis. It's a general term used to describe a group of symptoms that aren't specific. Examples of those symptoms include tiredness, weakness, sleep problems, and cravings for sugar and salt.

The adrenal glands are located on top of the kidneys. These glands make a variety of important hormones. When the adrenal glands don't make enough hormones, the medical term for that condition is adrenal insufficiency. It may happen due to another medical condition. Or it could be the result of surgery or other medical treatment, such as radiation or certain medicines.

Symptoms of adrenal insufficiency include:

  • Feeling very tired.
  • Body aches.
  • Loss of appetite and weight loss.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Low blood pressure.
  • Lightheadedness.
  • Loss of body hair.
  • A change in skin color, also called hyperpigmentation.
  • Craving salt.
  • Depression.

Adrenal insufficiency can be diagnosed with tests that check the level of adrenal hormones in the body. Imaging exams such as a CT scan or an MRI may be useful too.

Some people claim that adrenal fatigue is a mild form of adrenal insufficiency caused by chronic stress. The idea is that the adrenal glands can't keep up with the demands of the ongoing fight-or-flight state in the body that chronic stress causes. Existing blood tests, according to this theory, aren't sensitive enough to detect a small drop in adrenal function., but that drop triggers the symptoms of adrenal fatigue. However, there is no evidence to support this theory.

Dealing with symptoms that last can be frustrating, especially if your healthcare team can't explain them. But accepting that symptoms are caused by a vague label, such as adrenal fatigue, could cause the true source of a problem to go without a diagnosis or treatment. And that can take a serious toll on your body over time.

If you have symptoms that don't go away, talk to your healthcare team about possible causes. Discuss tests that might be useful, as well as lifestyle changes and treatment that could help you feel better.

With

Ann Kearns, M.D., Ph.D.

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview.

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.

April 10, 2024 See more Expert Answers

See also

  1. Abdominal pain
  2. Addison's disease
  3. Antidepressant withdrawal: Is there such a thing?
  4. Antidepressants and alcohol: What's the concern?
  5. Antidepressants and weight gain: What causes it?
  6. Antidepressants: Can they stop working?
  7. Antidepressants: Side effects
  8. Antidepressants: Selecting one that's right for you
  9. Antidepressants: Which cause the fewest sexual side effects?
  10. Atypical antidepressants
  11. Back pain
  12. Clinical depression: What does that mean?
  13. CT scan
  14. Dehydration
  15. Depression and anxiety: Can I have both?
  16. Depression, anxiety and exercise
  17. What is depression? A Mayo Clinic expert explains.
  18. Depression in women: Understanding the gender gap
  19. Depression (major depressive disorder)
  20. Depression: Supporting a family member or friend
  21. Diarrhea
  22. Fatigue
  23. Female orgasm: No climax with vaginal penetration?
  24. Female sexual dysfunction
  25. High potassium (hyperkalemia)
  26. Hypoglycemia
  27. Joint pain
  28. Leg pain
  29. Leg pain after prolonged standing or sitting
  30. Low blood pressure (hypotension)
  31. Male depression: Understanding the issues
  32. MAOIs and diet: Is it necessary to restrict tyramine?
  33. Marijuana and depression
  34. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
  35. MRI
  36. Muscle pain
  37. Natural remedies for depression: Are they effective?
  38. Nausea and vomiting
  39. Nervous breakdown: What does it mean?
  40. Pain and depression: Is there a link?
  41. Prednisone risks, benefits
  42. Prednisone withdrawal: Why taper down slowly?
  43. Salt craving: A symptom of Addison's disease?
  44. Seeing inside the heart with MRI
  45. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
  46. Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
  47. Treatment-resistant depression
  48. Tricyclic antidepressants and tetracyclic antidepressants
  49. Unexplained weight loss
  50. MRI
  51. Vitamin B-12 and depression