Stress can be caused by numerous sources such as occupational demands, relationship conflicts, hectic schedules, and illnesses. Your adrenal glands are responsible for helping your body to cope with stress. When too much stress is placed on our body, damaging effects can be manifested through a host of different symptoms.

Here are a few questions to consider:

• Are you gaining weight around the middle that just won't come off?
• Do you have problems sleeping and wake up tired all the time?
• Do you need coffee to get you going in the morning?
• Are you getting sick more than usual?
• Feeling depressed and/or anxious?
• Memory problems?

If the answer to any of these questions is "yes", stress may be the underlying cause.

This panel contains the following tests, important in the evaluation of stress:

Stress Hormones

• Cortisol
• DHEA-S

Thyroid Function

• Free T3
• Free T4

Metabolic Health Markers

• CBC/Chemistry/Lipids Panel (Including Glucose)
• Insulin
• Magnesium

Inflammation

• C-Reactive Protein

Instructions

This test may be done fasting or 2-6 hours after eating. Both ways provide valuable information, though 2-6 hours after a meal provides a more realistic assessment of the state of your blood in everyday life. Stay hydrated and take your medications as prescribed. If you are supplementing with any hormones, we suggest taking them approximately 2 hours prior to having your blood drawn to see peak levels. Hormones are best measured between 8-10 AM.