Once I crossed the point of asking too much of my metabolism, it waved some major red flags, including the frustrating symptoms of extreme fatigue, cravings, and fat gain. I thought I had gotten used to thriving off long days with little sleep, but it turns out that the high demand I was placing on my body simply had a timeline before crashing. In my case, I learned that my life transition (a move, a change in job roles, and a shift in my schedule) was what pushed my metabolism over the edge after years of both working full time and going to school. Most often, it comes down to unmanaged stress, chronic inflammation, and inadequate rest and recovery. In my experience doing lab reviews as part of the coaching team here at Life Time, I’ve seen a huge variety of root causes of adrenal imbalance. In my work with clients, I’ve seen these common symptoms pop up often in those struggling to optimize their cortisol levels:Īlthough the symptoms above are common, they’re certainly not normal. Conversely, higher-than-optimal cortisol can cause on-edge feelings and huge energy swings up and down. (Read more about adrenal fatigue here: “ Adrenal Fatigue: Causes, Symptoms, and Solutions.”)īelow-optimal cortisol can lead to decreased energy, dizziness, low blood sugar, and all-day cravings. In other words, I was struggling with adrenal fatigue. Instead, my pattern at the time revealed low, flat-lined cortisol all day long. Generally, cortisol rises and falls with the sun, with levels highest in the morning and gradually decreasing throughout the day.
You’re too young to have such disrupted cortisol levels.” I had a functional-medicine doctor review my results, and his response was eye-opening: “What’s going on with you? You’re 24 years old. Cortisol is made by the adrenal glands and, when out of balance, can negatively impact metabolism. One of the tests I completed was a saliva cortisol test to monitor my daily pattern of the stress hormone. To better prepare for this task, I was able to go through the entire experience myself. As part of my role at the time, I would be doing lab reviews with participants to help personalize their programs. For the first time in my life, I had gained weight in my midsection.ĭuring this same time period, Life Time was launching a menu of comprehensive lab testing assessments for members to better understand their metabolism and shape their plan. I was struggling with disrupted sleep, low energy, and intense sugar cravings. I was in my mid-20s, and I had just transitioned from working a demanding schedule in a Life Time club as a trainer and coach to a role in the corporate office. If you’ve ever struggled through adrenal fatigue, you’ll never forget how difficult it was to navigate.Įven being a dietitian and trainer - and having the knowledge to optimize adrenal health - I have firsthand understanding of the challenge.
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