Dr. Platt explains that the catch-all health disturbance of adrenal fatigue is diagnosed by low salivary cortisol, which is actually indicative of adrenalin dominance.

“My son, Frank (age 15), has autism. He has been using progesterone since February. He has been less anxious and calmer. He is more outgoing in social situations. He has been voted student of the month for February and March. At school he is participating more, and the teaching staff finds less prompting is necessary. Overall, lots of nice changes.”  Concern Mom (previous patient)

"People who put out a lot of adrenaline at night are often in the unique position of gaining weight even while they are sleeping. This is in addition to the other characteristics of elevated night time adrenaline, such as tossing and turning, grinding teeth, restless leg syndrome, and getting up to urinate."  Dr. Platt

Adrenal fatigue is a diagnosis used mostly in alternative medicine, usually among naturopathic physicians. The diagnosis is based on the theory that the adrenal gland, if underfunctioning, can fail to produce sufficient quantities of cortisol. Treatment often involves prescribing cortisol in addition to addressing diet, timing of eating, and amount of rest. I have two concerns about this diagnosis and its treatment. First, adrenal fatigue may actually be adrenaline dominance, a condition of adrenal overfunctioning rather than underfunctioning. Second, prescribing cortisol for a condition possibly already associated with a high cortisol level may have unintended consequences. Cortisol, if given inappropriately,...