Adrenal Glands
Adrenal
Stress Index
What is
adrenal stress?
Two
small glands, known as the adrenal glands, help us deal with stress by releasing the 'stress' hormones, cortisol and DHEA. These
hormones are not released constantly throughout the day, but are secreted
in a cycle called the circadian rhythm, with the highest values being in
the morning and the lowest at night. Sometimes in periods of long-term or
profound mental or physical stress due to
poor nutritional status, smoking, work,
eating disorders, divorce, death, intense
exercise, alcohol consumption, severe
slimming diets, major illness or surgery,
these glands can go into overdrive but later
become exhausted. When this happens the hormonal levels
of Cortisol, DHEA in the blood stream become
imbalanced.
Signs
& symptoms of adrenal dysfunction?
There
are different stages of adrenal stress and
as a
result you may have some, but not all of the
symptoms
listed below.
Decreased
mental and physical energy, poor immune
system
(frequent colds/infections), low
mood, emotional instability, increased
difficulties in maintaining weight,
digestive difficulties (bloating, wind,
constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion),
alcohol and food intolerances, menstrual
difficulties/irregularities, cravings,
lowered sex drive, insomnia, headaches,
anxiety, irritability, skin problems, poor
memory/concentration, and chronic fatigue.
How
does the test work?
The Adrenal Stress Index (ASI) test enables a detailed assessment of
the adrenal hormone cycles by measuring both saliva cortisol and DHEA
levels and their ratios throughout then day. The ASI test is a simple, non-invasive test that uses four saliva
samples to measure the adrenal rhythm and obtain a DHEA to cortisol
correlation.
DHEA
(Dehydroepiandrosterone):
DHEA
can be assessed separately. This test is most useful
to monitor DHEA therapy, in
order to ensure the optimal dosage for each
individual is achieved.
Comprehensive
Adrenal Stress Index:
This
test consists of the Adrenal Stress Index
(ASI) and Secretory IgA
(sIgA) tests.
Pricing
To order test go to
Having
a Test
