Wholistic Jen

By Jennifer Whitmire MS, MEd, MH, CHES, NEP

Which came first?  For thyroid conditions, many develop after chronic stress. We have no idea how much damage is occurring inside when we don’t let our body rest and recover from a stressful event, stressful day, or the general busyness of our day to day lives.

To get to the root of your condition, it may be a good idea to see what’s really going on inside.

The overlapping symptoms and connection between these two systems is complicated. Both glands affect our metabolism, energy, and stress responses, but when they are out of whack, we can get all sorts of different symptoms. 

High cortisol levels can lead to stress-induced weight gain, that belly bulge, and that sometimes also comes with high blood pressure, excess sweating, and feeling wired but tired.

Overactive Adrenals

When the adrenals are overactive, they produce too much cortisol, our primary stress hormone. Cortisol is essential for managing stress, but too much of it can be destructive to your body.

With overactive adrenals you probably struggle with sleep. Maybe you have trouble falling asleep or find yourself waking up many times throughout the night. It’s common to experience a surge of energy late at night, or get that “second wind,” which makes winding down for sleep even more difficult.

High cortisol levels can also lead to stress-induced abdominal fat. Most often, that bulge that won’t budge is still holding on to some stress.  And, while belly fat isn’t the most harmful form of fat, it does release hormones that can do damage.

Low Adrenals

Adrenal fatigue is the opposite but can also feel miserable. This is when we don’t get enough cortisol which leads to chronic fatigue and other issues.

If you have low adrenal function it probably takes you a long time to get going in the morning. You may feel like you need several cups of coffee just to get started, and even then don’t feel fully awake until later in the day.

A weak immune response is common with low adrenals. You may find that you’re catching every cold or flu that goes around and have problems recovering when you’re sick or even after a good workout. Poor recovery from exercise is a telltale sign and may leave you feeling completely drained for days.

Cold intolerance is usually associated with thyroid issues, but it can also be a sign of adrenal insufficiency. If your adrenals are underperforming, you might feel cold all over, not just in your extremities (Thyroid is usually cold in the hands and feet). 

You may also have low blood pressure and dizziness, or orthostatic hypotension, where blood pressure drops when you stand up quickly. (My daughter’s doctor did this test after she fainted at school one day, and it’s another key indicator of low adrenal function). You may feel dizzy or lightheaded when you stand up quickly, which tells us that the blood pressure is not being adequately regulated. You can check this on your own at home with a blood pressure cuff.

Do you crave salty foods?  Aldosterone, a hormone produced by the adrenals, regulates sodium levels. Maybe you’re craving salt to make up for low levels of aldosterone. Your adrenals are worn out and underperforming all the way around, which affects cortisol, aldosterone, but also sex hormones!

Sex Hormones Out Of Whack?

Are you moody or have you noticed that you’re not interested in sex? Adrenal insufficiency disrupts the balance of sex hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. When the adrenals aren’t functioning properly, they may not produce enough of the precursor hormones needed to maintain healthy levels of these sex hormones. 

When your body is under constant stress, it prioritizes the production of cortisol to help you cope. This can lead to what’s known as the “cortisol steal.” Your body moves resources, mainly pregnenolone, away from producing other important hormones like progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone. This can create an imbalance in your sex hormones and lead to symptoms like irregular menstrual cycles, low libido, mood swings, and even fertility issues.  Just think about it, if you are always in danger, it’s better to be safe than try to have a baby.

Over time, this affects both adrenal and thyroid function, leading to a cycle of hormonal disruption that affects your overall health. 

You can do another simple self-test at home to check your adrenal function. Look at your eyes in the mirror in bright light; the pupil should constrict and stay constricted. If it doesn’t, this could be a sign that your adrenals are not functioning properly and can’t produce an adequate sympathetic response.

What About the Thyroid?

Thyroid conditions have symptoms that overlap with both high and low adrenal function. It’s difficult to separate the two.  

Hypothyroidism usually shows up with dry, flaky skin, and thinning hair—though hair loss can also occur with adrenal fatigue, it tends to be more pronounced with thyroid dysfunction. Or disappearing eyebrows…many people with autoimmune thyroid conditions have lost the outer third of their eyebrows.

Thyroid issues usually affect the extremities with cold hands and feet, even when the rest of their body feels warm.

Repeated injuries, like frequent ankle sprains, can be a sign of ligament and tendon laxity, which is often related to low thyroid function. This can overlap with adrenal fatigue; for example, you might experience something like “knee slipping,” where your kneecap seems to slip, causing severe pain. This happened to me for years before I learned that it’s a sign of too much stress.

Just like adrenal insufficiency, thyroid dysfunction can cause chronic fatigue and low energy. With the thyroid, we look at the pattern of fatigue. Thyroid is usually tired all day, while adrenal usually shows up as tired in the afternoon or early morning.

Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, involves an overactive thyroid gland, leading to symptoms like rapid heart rate, unexplained weight loss, and anxiety. You might feel jittery, have trouble sleeping, and experience a racing heart. Hyperthyroidism can also cause heat intolerance, where you feel excessively warm even in a cool environment. 

This is the opposite of the cold intolerance seen in hypothyroidism and low adrenal function. Left untreated, hyperthyroidism can lead to more serious complications like heart problems and bone loss, which is why it’s crucial to address these symptoms early.

These symptoms are not true for everyone. For me, I think I must have gone back and forth between hypo- and hyperthyroid. I was diagnosed hyper/Graves, but I had stubborn weight and was always cold.

Why You Should Be Concerned

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important not to ignore them. Thyroid and adrenal dysfunction can affect your overall health and quality of life. Overtime, they can lead to more serious issues, including cardiovascular problems, metabolic disorders, and chronic fatigue. Addressing these symptoms and getting to the root early can prevent further complications and help you regain control of your health.

Gaps in Conventional Medicine

Unfortunately, many people struggle to get the help they need when it comes to thyroid and adrenal issues. Conventional medicine often overlooks the symptoms, focusing primarily on lab results rather than the full spectrum of what is going on. AND, the testing used is not complete. This can leave us feeling dismissed or misdiagnosed. 

For example, it’s not uncommon for someone with hypothyroidism to be told their lab results are “normal,” even when they are experiencing classic symptoms. Similarly, adrenal insufficiency is not widely recognized in mainstream medicine, leaving many people without the support they need.

I also had a client who told me she had been on thyroid medications for 15 years and had no idea why she was on them.  She had 1 test come back showing an issue after the birth of her child, and her doctor at the time just told her she needed a prescription and would need it for the rest of her life.  None of her other doctors every questioned it or did any further testing.

My Jen Twin was told that it’s all in her head, and these symptoms are just signs of aging, and she ended up in the hospital before getting a proper diagnosis. 

I was also diagnosed after the birth of my child, which is very common.  We all know that our hormones get out of whack during pregnancy and post-delivery.  Perhaps, we just need some support and monitoring while hormones are brought back into balance. 

The standard test is TSH, thyroid stimulating hormone, but it doesn’t give a picture of thyroid health. My TSH was always normal even with antibodies off the chart.  

There is no test for adrenal health in the conventional medical world. That’s why it’s so important to seek out healthcare providers who understand how the thyroid and adrenal are connected and who will take your symptoms seriously. Functional medicine practitioners, naturopaths, and holistic health coaches can often give more personalized care and recommend lifestyle changes that support both thyroid and adrenal health.

What Can You Do?

Focus on anti-inflammatory foods. 

A whole food plant-based diet full of rainbow foods and rich in anti-inflammatory foods supports both adrenal and thyroid health. Eat lots of leafy greens, berries, nuts, seeds, and legumes to help reduce inflammation, balance hormones, and provide the nutrients necessary for adrenal and thyroid function.

Prioritize down time. Find something that will work for you to manage stress, such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises. Walking in nature, singing, working in your garden, playing with children. These can help regulate cortisol levels and improve adrenal function. 

For me, I have my alarm on my phone set off during random times of the day with a special message to remind me to stop what I’m doing and just breathe and be grateful or send out love into the world.  I also spend time walking and working in my garden outside every day.  And, I go outside, barefoot in the evening to get grounded.

Creating a consistent sleep routine is also vital. Reduce screen time before bed, create a calming bedtime environment, and try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Make sure your room is as dark as possible, and stop eating at least three hours before bed to support a healthy sleep-wake cycle and adrenal recovery.

Balance your blood sugar. 

Cortisol also throws off blood sugar and can quickly lead to  insulin resistance. Instead of going on another tangent, you can read more about that here.

Want More Support?

If you or your clients are struggling with symptoms that might be related to adrenal or thyroid dysfunction, it’s time to take action. Testing and lifestyle interventions can make a big difference in managing these conditions. For more guidance on supporting thyroid health through diet, check out our free ebooks filled with delicious, thyroid-friendly recipes designed to nourish your body and support your endocrine system. Don’t wait—take the first step toward better health today!