Mythbusters: Adrenal Fatigue and Wilson's Temperature Syndrome

The Hormone Foundation, the public education affiliate of The Endocrine Society, has produced two new fact sheets to dispel myths about so-called “diseases” popularized through the Internet: adrenal fatigue and Wilson’s temperature syndrome. The new fact sheets are available online.

Myth vs. Fact: Adrenal Fatigue

The adrenal fatigue fact sheet describes the theory behind this supposed disorder in which long-term mental, emotional or physical stress outstrips the adrenal glands’ ability to produce enough hormones. The fact sheet refutes this theory and warns against taking potentially harmful supplements designed to “treat” adrenal fatigue.

It also differentiates adrenal fatigue from adrenal insufficiency, a real and rare condition in which the adrenal cortex does not produce enough steroid hormones. Adrenal insufficiency is not caused by mental or physical stress.

A fact sheet on adrenal insufficiency can be found online.

Myth vs. Fact: Wilson’s Temperature Syndrome

This fact sheet outlines a theory by E. Denis Wilson, MD, that states that stress and illness can lead to low levels of the active thyroid hormone T3, resulting in low body temperature and slow metabolism, along with multiple non-specific symptoms.

The fact sheet provides an objective review of Dr. Wilson’s claims, including the fact that blood tests do not detect this supposed hormone deficiency. It also advises against taking Dr. Wilson’s T3 (WT3), a time-release formulation of T3 prepared in compounding pharmacies.

Source: The Hormone Foundation