Functional Tests

Adrenal Stress (Adrenal Function Profile)

Overview

The Adrenal Function Profile provides a detailed assessment of daily adrenal activity by measuring diurnal cortisol at four time points alongside DHEA. This combined view offers insight into the body’s stress-response pattern across the day, highlighting variations in waking output, daytime rhythm and evening decline. The test uses saliva sampling, making it a practical way to evaluate adrenal hormone activity in real-life conditions.

This profile may be clinically useful when exploring symptoms such as morning fatigue, energy dips, sleep disruption, cravings, mood changes or increased reactivity to stress. By reviewing cortisol patterns together with DHEA, the test can help illustrate how daily stress load, lifestyle demands and circadian rhythm may relate to someone’s energy, mood, sleep and resilience. It can also be informative when long-term stress is suspected to be influencing metabolic, emotional or sleep-related symptoms.

The Adrenal Function Profile offers a clear visual representation of cortisol rhythm and DHEA levels, supporting interpretation of stress-related patterns in the context of wider clinical findings. When considered alongside symptoms, nutrition, lifestyle and case history, it provides meaningful information to guide discussions on restoring balance, resilience and daily wellbeing.

Indications


  • Morning fatigue: Difficulty waking, feeling unrefreshed or starting the day with low energy.
  • Energy dips later in the day: Afternoon or evening tiredness, sluggishness or reduced stamina.
  • Low resilience to stress: Feeling overwhelmed, anxious or noticeably affected by everyday pressures.
  • Sleep disturbances: Trouble falling asleep, waking during the night or experiencing unrestful sleep.
  • Mood-related symptoms: Irritability, anxiety, low mood or emotional instability.
  • Poor concentration: Difficulty focusing, brain fog or reduced mental clarity.
  • Sugar or food cravings: Strong cravings for sweets or carbs, especially during energy dips.
  • Changes in appetite or weight: Overeating, weight gain around the waist or appetite shifts during stress.
  • Low libido: Reduced sexual desire or changes in sexual wellbeing.
  • Heightened sensitivity: Increased reactivity to smells, chemicals, noise or environmental factors.
  • Susceptibility to infections: Catching colds more frequently or noticing slower recovery.

Practical

Practical

 

Specimen requirements:

Saliva

 

Average processing time:

21-28 days

Videos

Quick introduction video

Downloads

Research

Research

 

• "A Pilot Study Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Cortisol Awakening Response and Health Outcomes Among Law Enforcement Officers." Christopher MS, Goerling RJ, Rogers BS, Hunsinger M, Baron G, Bergman AL, Zava DT. J Police Criminal Psych 2015;31:15-28.

• "Female social and sexual interest across the menstrual cycle: the roles of pain, sleep and hormones.” Guillermo CJ, Manlove HA, Gray PB, Zava DT, Marrs CR. BMC-Womens Health 2010; 10(19):1-10.

• “Physical Competition Increases Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and Androstenedione rather than Testosterone among Juvenile Boy Soccer Players.” McHale TS, Zava DT, Hales D, Gray PB. Adaptive Human Behavior & Physiology, 2016;2:44-56.

• “Pilot study: absorption and efficacy of multiple hormones delivered in a single cream applied to the mucous membranes of the labia and vagina.” Glaser RL, Zava DT, Wurtzbacher D. Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation 2008; 66(2):111-8.