How to Assess Adrenal Function
The human body typically has two adrenal glands, one located above each kidney, that play a vital role in the endocrine system by secreting adrenaline, cortisol and other essential hormones. During periods of prolonged stress or illness, you may become concerned about your health and want to assess adrenal function. By following these steps, you can assess adrenal function, and seek further medical advice if necessary.
Instructions
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Instructions
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Measure blood pressure in both the standing and lying positions in the following manner: Lie down and rest for five minutes. Measure blood pressure while lying down. Stand, then measure blood pressure while standing. Compare both readings. With normal adrenal function, blood pressure will rise 10 to 20 points. If blood pressure drops by 10 points or more, it may be an indication of decreased adrenal function that you should discuss with a medical professional.
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Darken the room and allow your eyes to adjust to the dark. Using a flashlight, shine light into your eyes for at least 30 seconds. Your pupils--the black circles at the center of your eyes--will appear smaller as they narrow, or contract, in response to the light. With normal adrenal function, your pupils will remain contracted for as long as you continue shining the light into them. After 10 to 30 seconds, if your pupils begin to widen--that is, dilate--while the light is still directed into your eyes, or the size of your pupils begins to shift back and forth between contracted and dilated, this may also be an indication of decreased adrenal function that you should discuss with a medical professional.
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3
Draw a line across the skin of your stomach using your fingernail or the dull end of a spoon. If adrenal glands are functioning normally, the line will immediately appear somewhat red. If the line remains white, this may also be an indication of decreased adrenal function that you should discuss with a medical professional. This method is most reliable for detecting severe cases of adrenal insufficiency, and not as reliable for assessing mild adrenal insufficiency.
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Evaluate your appearance for physical changes that may indicate overactive adrenal function. Changes to look for include: a roundness or fullness of the face that developed in the recent past, recent weight gain in the upper body and neck that is disproportionate and more substantial than weight gain in the lower body, slow healing wounds on the skin--including a significant increase in bruising--and occurrence of stretch marks on the upper arms, thighs, stomach or buttocks.
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5
Request a 24-hour cumulative urine test from your physician. During this medical test, all urine produced within a designated 24-hour period is collected and tested for the total amount of cortisol and adrenal hormones produced. The results of this test are useful in diagnosing both overactive and underactive adrenal function.
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Tips & Warnings
Become familiar with adrenal gland disorders by learning signs and symptoms of abnormal adrenal function, including overactive and underactive adrenal function, and know when to seek medical advice.
