Cortisol Deficiency -- Deficiency Symptoms

Cortisol deficiency is generally the result of adrenal fatigue that comes from a lack of sleep and an overabundance of stress. The adrenal glands, which produce both adrenaline and cortisol, rejuvenate during sleep and times of low stress. They secrete chemicals that help the human body overcome periods of brief stress and danger and then rejuvenate and repair once the body settles back down into a normal routine. The problem with human beings is that periods of stress are often long term, lasting for months at a time. The adrenal glands continue to provide the body with chemicals like adrenaline and cortisol, but since the stress is ongoing, they don't get the chance to repair and rejuvenate, causing a very quick degradation.

So you can see how cortisol deficiency and adrenal fatigue can happen very quickly in the body. Not only are the adrenal glands producing an overabundance of chemicals, but the very situation that is prompting the increased production and release of those chemicals is also the situation that is keeping the adrenal glands from being able to repair and rejuvenate themselves. That's why cortisol deficiency and adrenaline deficiency can happen very quickly, because the adrenal glands can get worn out much quicker than other organs. Though we often put a lot of stress on our organs through poor diet, alcohol, lack of exercise and other things, the adrenal glands are particularly sensitive to fatigue and overuse.

• Hypoglycemia -- Cortisol deficiency can lead to hypoglycemia due to the fact that cortisol helps to regulate blood sugar and glucose processing. In fact, cortisol deficiency has been labeled a precursor to diabetes because of how much it impacts sugar in the body.

• Immune System Impairment -- Cortisol is also heavily involved in proper immune system function. During a cortisol deficiency, the immune system generally becomes impaired and sickness can easily set in. Cortisol helps to boost the immune system during times of stress, but once it becomes deficient, the immune system suffers the opposite effects.

• Depression and Lack of Mental Clarity -- Many people with cortisol deficiency find themselves getting depressed and having a lack of focus and mental clarity. This is consistent with the fact that during periods of high stress, cortisol helps to boost mental clarity and focus to help quickly deal with whatever situation is causing the stress.
  

• Pituitary Gland Malfunction -- The pituitary gland is in the brain and releases a chemical that regulates the adrenal glands. When the pituitary gland doesn't release the chemical needed to tell the adrenal glands to start producing and releasing cortisol, then a cortisol deficiency arises.
• Adrenal Gland Failure -- Ailments or conditions, such as Addison's Disease, can cause the adrenal gland to stop functioning altogether.
• Adrenal Gland Blockage -- Sometimes referred to as congenital adrenal hyperplasia can cause cortisol to stop being produced within the adrenal glands.
• Adrenal Fatigue -- Adrenal fatigue is the most common, brought about from extended periods of stress and lack of sleep. Depending on the severity of adrenal fatigue, function can be restored through extended periods of rest and relaxation. But adrenal fatigue can quickly lead to adrenal gland failure.

So what does cortisol do exactly, and why is it emitted during periods of stress? During normal periods of low stress, cortisol:

• Regulates Blood Pressure
• Regulates the Metabolism of Glucose
• Helps Regulate the Immune System
• Is Involved in the Body's Inflammation Response
• Contributes to Insulin Release

These are all very important functions that keep the body functioning properly during normal periods of low stress. So what about times of high stress. What role does cortisol play then?

• Like Adrenaline, Cortisol Provides a Burst of Energy
• Boosts the Immune System
• Increases Pain Tolerance
• Higher Memory Function

Cortisol deficiency has been called an enabler of diabetes.  Because cortisol is involved in regulating both blood sugar and insulin, a deficiency in cortisol, especially one brought about by adrenal fatigue can play a major part in the development of diabetes.  Not only that, but because adrenal fatigue has a big impact on the immune system in general, adrenal fatigue is starting to come under much scrutiny as the underlying cause of many major ailments.  Heightened levels of stress that lead to immune system and adrenal gland impairment can really open the door to some major bodily ailments, diabetes being among them.  The reason why diabetes is especially likely with cortisol deficiency is because cortisol is involved in both blood sugar maintenance as well as insulin regulation.

Because of the fact that an overabundance of cortisol is an unwanted byproduct of stress just as a cortisol deficiency can be dangerous and lead to many bodily ailments, supplements exist that are to support healthy function of the adrenal glands. Naturally, the best course of action is to live a stress free life and get plenty of sleep, but sometimes people are in situations of high stress and low sleep that they can't really control. That's where a supplement may come in handy. The supplement pictured to the right is especially nice, because it's an herbal concoction of many different types of healthy compounds that are meant to support the adrenal glands and keep cortisol levels within normal range. All of the ingredients in this particular supplement are very healthy for the body and generally fairly common, things like Vitamin C, Magnesium, and Calcium. But it also contains a number of other compounds that specifically support the adrenal glands. If you're going through periods of high stress and don't see an end in the near future, you may want to consider a natural adrenal gland support supplement like this one. I've left you a link below.