The adrenal glands are a pair of glands that sits on top of the kidneys. Each gland is made up of two main parts: the adrenal cortex or outer part and the adrenal medulla or inner part. Both parts of the glands secrete different hormones, including cortisol and adrenaline.
What is Cortisol?
Cortisol, also known as a “stress hormone,” is a steroid hormone with many jobs. It helps to regulate the metabolism, control blood sugar levels and blood pressure, regulate the balance between water and salt and fight inflammation.
Abnormally high or low levels of cortisol can cause problems, however. Abnormally high levels of cortisol have been linked to depression and anxiety, as well as changes in a woman’s menstrual cycle and libido. Tumors on the adrenal or pituitary glands can cause elevated levels of cortisol, which result in Cushing’s disease. Abnormally low levels of cortisol can cause a rare autoimmune disorder called Addison’s disease.
What is the Adrenal Function Panel?
The Adrenal Function Panel is a test that uses saliva samples in order to evaluate a patient’s stress hormone levels, and thus help our team assess the patient’s stress levels. Since stress hormone levels fluctuate throughout the day, the patient collects samples at specified times.
Why Order an Adrenal Function Panel?
Abnormal levels of stress hormones can indicate problems with the hypothalamus, adrenal glands or pituitary glands. They can also indicate if the patient is under overwhelming amounts of stress. Our physician may order the Adrenal Function Panel if the patient shows symptoms consistent with abnormally high or low levels of stress hormones.
The Adrenal Function Panel has several advantages over stress hormone tests that involve drawing blood. Some people are afraid of needles, and the act of drawing blood, therefore, elevates their stress hormone levels. That is much less likely to happen when the patient only has to provide saliva samples.
The Adrenal Function Panel test enables patients to collect samples multiple times a day, while a blood sample is usually only drawn once a day. As stress hormone levels change throughout the day, the Adrenal Function Panel provides a more accurate representation of the patient’s hormone and stress levels.
Evaluating Your Stress Levels
If you feel like you are always stressed out and low on energy, talk to the team of professionals at Better Life Carolinas and see how the Adrenal Function Panel can benefit you. We can use the results of this test to create a customized treatment plan that can help to improve your stress and hormone levels. We have offices in Charlotte and Charleston. Contact us today to schedule your appointment to learn more.