Thyroid vs. Adrenal Fatigue: How to Tell What’s Really Draining Your Energy

We all experience fatigue from time to time, but if you’re constantly tired no matter how much you sleep or how well you eat, it may be more than just “feeling tired.” In fact, if you have hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, fatigue can be one of the most challenging symptoms to manage.

But did you know that your adrenal health could be impacting your thyroid function? In this blog, we’ll explore the connection between the adrenal glands, thyroid, and how adaptogens can help improve both stress response and thyroid health.

As a naturopathic doctor focusing on thyroid health, I often see patients struggling with fatigue due to thyroid imbalances, and it’s crucial to consider the role the adrenal glands play.

Understanding The Thyroid-Adrenal Connection

The thyroid and adrenal glands work together to maintain energy balance in the body. When you’re under stress, your adrenal glands release cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. Cortisol helps manage your body's stress response, but if the stress is chronic, the adrenals can become overburdened.

Chronic stress can eventually lead to adrenal fatigue, which impacts thyroid function in several ways:

It reduces the ability of the thyroid to produce or convert thyroid hormones.
It impairs the body’s ability to handle inflammation, which can worsen autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
It can disrupt the HPA axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis), leading to further thyroid dysfunction.

When your thyroid and adrenals aren’t working optimally, you may feel more tired, have trouble losing weight, experience brain fog, or struggle with emotional imbalances.

How Adaptogens Can Help Balance Stress and Support Thyroid Health

Adaptogens are herbs and compounds that help your body cope with stress. They support your adrenal glands by helping to regulate cortisol production, preventing burnout, and encouraging the body’s natural resilience.

Some key adaptogens that support both adrenal and thyroid health include:

Ashwagandha: Known for its ability to balance cortisol levels and improve energy. Studies show that ashwagandha can help improve thyroid function, especially in those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Rhodiola: Helps the body manage stress while improving mood and energy levels. Rhodiola has been found to support adrenal function and may help increase thyroid hormone production.
Holy Basil: Known to have anti-inflammatory properties and can support thyroid health by modulating cortisol levels and reducing anxiety. It’s helpful for reducing the negative impacts of stress on the thyroid.
Licorice Root: Supports adrenal function and can help maintain stable cortisol levels throughout the day. However, it should be used with caution, particularly in individuals with high blood pressure.

These adaptogens are often found in herbal supplements or as teas, and can be part of a broader strategy to support your adrenal and thyroid health.

Testing: Is Your Thyroid Really the Issue?

When dealing with symptoms like fatigue, it’s important to get the right testing. Traditional thyroid testing, such as TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), is only part of the picture. To get a more complete view of your thyroid health, you may need:

Free T4 and Free T3 (to measure active thyroid hormones)
Thyroid antibodies (if you suspect an autoimmune condition like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis)
Nutrient levels (vitamin D, vitamin B12, and iron deficiencies can lead to fatigue worsen thyroid function)

If you’re on levothyroxine and still not feeling better, there could be an issue with how your body is converting T4 to T3, or the adrenal glands could be affecting the process. Comprehensive testing will help guide the best course of action for your care.

Practical Tips for Supporting Your Thyroid and Adrenals

Here are some steps you can take to support both your thyroid and adrenal health naturally:

Incorporate Adaptogens into Your Routine: Consider using ashwagandha, rhodiola, holy basil, etc. as a supplement or tea to help manage stress and support thyroid function.
Prioritize Restorative Sleep: Chronic lack of sleep is a huge stressor on both the thyroid and adrenals. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.
Manage Stress with Mindfulness: Yoga, meditation, or deep-breathing exercises can help regulate cortisol levels and reduce adrenal fatigue.
Eat a Balanced, Anti-Inflammatory Diet: Focus on whole foods, high in protein and fibre, with plenty of healthy fats. Reducing sugar and refined carbs can also help stabilize energy levels.
Consider Natural Desiccated Thyroid (NDT): For some individuals, NDT (which includes both T3 and T4) can be a more effective option than synthetic levothyroxine, especially when thyroid conversion issues are present.

Always discuss these options with your Naturopathic Doctor first so you know you’re getting the correct, guided care you need!

You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone

Thyroid and adrenal health are deeply interconnected, and when one is out of balance, it can impact the other. Whether you’re struggling with fatigue, weight gain, or other thyroid-related symptoms, there are holistic options to support both your thyroid and adrenal glands.

If you would like to learn more, book a free 15 minute consult to explore comprehensive thyroid testing and discover how adaptogens and other therapies can help restore your energy and overall well-being.