Tend To Be Keyed Up, Trouble Calming Down

Being keyed up all the time, and having difficult calming down is a sign of increased adrenal output, or hyperadrenalism. Increased cortisol with a concomitant low DHEA can cause these symptoms. In the beginning stages of adrenal decompensation the body's response to stress is to increase the cortisol output from the adrenal glands.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

Headache After Exercising

A headache after exercising is associated with hypoadrenal functioning. You may need to have your provider run an Adrenal Street profile test for cortisol/ DHEA ratios to find out the actual stage of decompensation you are in.  Chronic stress will cause the cortisol levels to drop leading to a decreased ability to control the blood sugar, which leads to hypoglycemia, irritability, headaches, etc. Headaches after exercise are a strong indicator of the above scenario.  Exercise will cause the blood sugar to drop. If the cortisol output is not sufficient, the blood sugar will not be able to be regulated properly leading to all the symptoms of hypoglycemia.


Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

Tendency to Sprain Ankles or "Shin Splints"

People with a tendency towards spraining ankles and shin splints are often suffering from poor adrenal function.  Adrenal dysfunction causes increased weakness in the ligaments of the body. For some people the ankles are the area of the body that is most affected.  For others it is the sacroiliac joint.  It is important to not overlook other causes, especially the structural component.


Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

Afternoon Headache

An afternoon headache has many possible causes. It is important to rule out and correct any structural component and to assess how often this happens.  Many times afternoon headaches occurs only at work and are linked with poor ergonomics in the workplace and excess time at the computer screen without a break, which places tremendous strain on the eyes and upper back.  If these are ruled out consider hypofunctioning adrenal glands, hypo-functioning thyroid and reactive hypoglycemia.


Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

Allergies and / or Hives

There are many causes of allergies and hives including low adrenal function, dysbiosis, digestive dysfunction, and increased intestinal hyper-permeability.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

Difficult Maintaining Manipulative Correction

A difficulty maintaining manipulative corrective or pain after manipulative correction are signs of ligament laxity. From a functional perspective, increased ligament laxity is a strong sign of adrenal insuffiency. It may also be an indication of a general need for connective tissue support. Balancing the overall structure of the body is essential and a general protocol for supporting the connective tissue is important.


Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

Pain on the Medial or Inner Side of the Knee

The medial or inner side of the knee is the insertion of the Sartorius muscle into the area known as the Pes Anserine. This area is one of the reflex areas for the adrenal glands. Tenderness in this area is an indication of adrenal insufficiency. Assessing the other reflex points and other adrenal tests will give a larger view of the adrenal system, and whethe or not it needs support. It is obviously important to make sure that there is no structural problems in this area.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Crave Salty Foods

Craving salty foods and salting foods before tasting them are classic signs of adrenal insufficiency and a possible need for electrolytes. The adrenal glands are not only important for a healthy stress response, but also help with mineral balancing in the body via the mineral corticoids. Aldosterone is one such hormone. Aldosterone cause the re-absorption of sodium and chloride. In the adrenal insufficiency the levels of aldosterone in the body may be compromised. This causes a larger excretion of sodium and chloride than it necessary, hence, the salt craving.


Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Arthritic Tendencies

Arthritic tendencies are often a sign of adrenal insufficiency. It is, of course, important to check out osteoarthritis and other kinds of inflammatory arthritis before jumping to the conclusion that the adrenals are under functioning. Many types of arthritis are associated with dysbiosis and an increased intestinal hyper-permeabilty, therefore, assessment of the digestive system is important.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Become Dizzy When Standing Up Suddenly

Becoming dizzy when standing up is a classic sign of low adrenal function. The adrenal glands are responsible for keeping the blood pressure in the normal range for the few seconds of compression after moving from a recumbent to a standing position. Weakness in the adrenal gland can cause dizziness when standing, known as orthostatic hypotension. A drop of 10 or more points in the systolic blood pressure reading when taken recumbent and standing is a sign of adrenal insufficiency.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Asthma, Wheezing, or Difficulty Breathing

There at many causes of asthma including low adrenal function, dysbiosis, digestive dysfunction, allergies, and increased intestinal hyper-permeability.   

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Perspire Easily

A person who perspire easily either has hypo-functioning adrenal glands or has a mineral / electrolyte deficiency. Easy perspiration should not be confused with excessive perspiration, which is an indication of live and renal dysfunction.


Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

Chronic Fatigue, or Get Drowsy Often

There are many causes of chronic fatigue. It is important to assess whether or you ar getting enough sleep. There are a number of dietary causes of fatigue including a diet that is high in refined sugars, multiple mineral and vitamin deficiencies and a person who is consuming the standard Western diet with too much coffee, alcohol and processed foods.

Other cause include low adrenal function, low thyroid function, food allergies and / or digestive dysfunction.


Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

Tendency to Need Sunglasses

The ability of the pupil to adequately constrict in the presence of direct light is partly under the influence of the adrenal glands. Many people with poor adrenal health will display a paradoxical pupilarty response to direct light. Instead of constriction, the pupil of the eye will first constrict a little and then dilate. This is an indication of adrenal fatigue. It is important to remember that contact lenses can increase a person’s sensitivity to light. There may be neurological reasons for the eyes that so not restrict or accommodate in the presence of direct light.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

Weakness, Dizziness

Weakness and dizziness are classic signs of low functioning adrenal glands. The adrenal glands provide the initial control of blood pressures when you first stand up. If the adrenals are not functioning well, you will complain of dizziness, especially when standing up. The adrenal glands need further assessment.


Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.  

Chronic Low Back Pain, Worse with Fatigue

Chronic low back pain is worse with fatigue is a sign of adrenal insufficiency. In applied Kinesiology the pelvic supportive muscles are neurologically related to the adrenal glands. There may also be a need for connective tissue support. balancing the overall structure of the body is essential and a general protocol for supporting the connective tissue is important.

The following is a list of nutrients that are useful for healing connective tissue:






Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Feeling Wired or Jittery after Drinking Coffee

Feeling wired or jittery after drinking coffee is a sign of increased adrenal output, or hyperadrenalism, a need for liver support or insensitivity to coffee. Increased cortisol with a concomitant low DHEA causes symptoms of being wired and jittery. When you add caffeine, an adrenal stimulant into the body, you will get an exacerbation of the hyperadrenal symptoms. Caffeine is a drug that needs to be detoxified by the liver. If a person does not handle caffeine very well, it is a sign of liver support, especially the Phase I detoxification. In the beginning stages of adrenal decompensation the body's response to stress is to increase the cortical output from the adrenal
glands.  An insensitivity to coffee and caffeine in general can cause a person to be wired and jittery after coffee.



Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Afternoon Yawning

Afternoon yawning is a symptom of adrenal insufficiency and hypo-functioning adrenal glands. It is also a sign of needing vitamin B1, thiamine and a low thyroid indicator.




Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.