iThei mdcdaelcinfd o c elllllrllll ThofthThsework. This can then turn into a chronic activation of the stress response.
Your body works extra hard to keep producing more cortisol, even
stopping the production of other hormones normally produced by the
adrenals such as progesterone, DHEA, and testosterone. The precursor
for all of these hormones and cortisol is pregnenolone. Your body will
start “stealing” the pregnenolone that would normally be reserved for
progesterone and DHEA production to keep up the supply of cortisol.
Chronic stress leads to three distinct stages of adrenal fatigue. In the ini-
tial stage—known as the High Cortisol Stage—the HPA is over-respon-
sive. At this time, the total cortisol is high, and DHEA is borderline, low,
or normal. Left unchanged, this stage can progress into the second stage,
the Cortisol Dominant State, where DHEA is either low or borderline,
and cortisol levels are normal. As this continues, the adrenals eventu-
ally become exhausted and start to burn out, progressing to the third
stage—the Low Cortisol Stage. In this stage, the DHEA is either low or
borderline low, and the total cortisol is low.
Putting hormone production on hold for prolonged periods
of time can be quite problematic.
In beginning stages of chronic stress, blood pressure may be normal if
the body adequately compensates, or it may become elevated if the body
is unable to rebalance the hormonal response. In the advanced stages of
adrenal fatigue, aldosterone production becomes depleted and levels of
sodium and water drop, resulting in low blood pressure.
The person may also feel faint upon standing.
Figure 11: Stress Response Cascade- The hypothalamus senses stress and releases the corticotropin-re-
leasing hormone (CRH) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) hormone. - These hormones trigger production of the adrenocorticotropic hor-
mone (ACTH), which activates the fight-or-flight response.