“Adrenal fatigue” is a trendy term on social media used to explain a variety of symptoms. It’s the idea that chronic stress is overloading your adrenal glands, causing all sorts of common symptoms like fatigue, brain fog and weight gain. The people who talk about adrenal fatigue may sound convincing, but the truth is there’s no scientific proof that stress can fatigue your adrenal glands.
What do we know about the adrenal glands and cortisol levels?
Cortisol is an essential hormone in your metabolism and immune system. But chronic stress doesn’t cause your adrenal glands to make less of it. If you’re experiencing fatigue, weight gain or anxiety, don’t automatically assume you need to check your cortisol level.
What are the concerns about “adrenal fatigue” and supplements?
If you’re taking supplements to deal with what you’ve been told is adrenal fatigue, you should know those supplements can delay the diagnosis of actual issues like thyroid disease, depression or sleep apnea. What’s more: If your endocrine system is damaged, that’s a potentially serious situation – and those supplements could be masking it.
While fatigue, weight gain or anxiety aren’t reasons to immediately check your cortisol level, they are reasons to have a chat with your doctor. The solution to addressing these symptoms may be simpler than you think. And if you need to have your cortisol level or adrenal function tested, your doctor will know when to make that call.
What are we still learning?
The medical community is still learning a lot about how stress affects the body. Prolonged stress can alter sleep, immune function and metabolism, but scientists are still exploring how to measure the impact of stress on these body functions.
If you’re worried about your child’s stress levels, mood, fatigue or changes in weight, talk with your pediatrician.
References
- Cadegiani, F.A., Kater, C.E. Adrenal fatigue does not exist: a systematic review. BMC Endocr Disord 16, 48 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12902-016-0128-4
- Endocrine Society. "Adrenal Fatigue | Endocrine Society." Endocrine.org, Endocrine Society, 11 May 2026, https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/adrenal-fatigue
“Adrenal fatigue” is a trendy term on social media used to explain a variety of symptoms. It’s the idea that chronic stress is overloading your adrenal glands, causing all sorts of common symptoms like fatigue, brain fog and weight gain. The people who talk about adrenal fatigue may sound convincing, but the truth is there’s no scientific proof that stress can fatigue your adrenal glands.
What do we know about the adrenal glands and cortisol levels?
Cortisol is an essential hormone in your metabolism and immune system. But chronic stress doesn’t cause your adrenal glands to make less of it. If you’re experiencing fatigue, weight gain or anxiety, don’t automatically assume you need to check your cortisol level.
What are the concerns about “adrenal fatigue” and supplements?
If you’re taking supplements to deal with what you’ve been told is adrenal fatigue, you should know those supplements can delay the diagnosis of actual issues like thyroid disease, depression or sleep apnea. What’s more: If your endocrine system is damaged, that’s a potentially serious situation – and those supplements could be masking it.
While fatigue, weight gain or anxiety aren’t reasons to immediately check your cortisol level, they are reasons to have a chat with your doctor. The solution to addressing these symptoms may be simpler than you think. And if you need to have your cortisol level or adrenal function tested, your doctor will know when to make that call.
What are we still learning?
The medical community is still learning a lot about how stress affects the body. Prolonged stress can alter sleep, immune function and metabolism, but scientists are still exploring how to measure the impact of stress on these body functions.
If you’re worried about your child’s stress levels, mood, fatigue or changes in weight, talk with your pediatrician.
References
- Cadegiani, F.A., Kater, C.E. Adrenal fatigue does not exist: a systematic review. BMC Endocr Disord 16, 48 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12902-016-0128-4
- Endocrine Society. "Adrenal Fatigue | Endocrine Society." Endocrine.org, Endocrine Society, 11 May 2026, https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/adrenal-fatigue
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