Adrenal Glandulars: Do They Help Treat Adrenal Fatigue?

Adrenal Glandulars: Do They Help Treat Adrenal Fatigue?

Photo of author

Evidence-Based

No doubt you’ve at least heard of these special types of supplements. 

Glandular supplements have been used for many years and many people have experienced dramatic results with their use. 

Does that mean you should consider using them?

It really depends on your body and what you are trying to treat. 

These supplements are most frequently (and traditionally) used to treat problems related to thyroid dysfunction and adrenal dysfunction – two conditions that plague many people with serious and debilitating symptoms. 

But what exactly are thyroid and adrenal glandulars and are they safe to use?

Learn who should use them, how to use them safely, and common pitfalls to avoid if you choose to supplement: 

What are “Glandular” Supplements?

Put simply they are the smashed-up hormone glands from animals (usually bovine or porcine) that are formulated and desiccated to allow humans to take them orally or by mouth. 

Anyone consuming a glandular formula is ingesting the hormone glands of animals. 

It may sound crazy, but it actually works quite well – for many people and may be worth considering in your case. 

There are many misconceptions about these types of supplements ranging from how they work, to if they are even safe to consume. 

With the right information, you can safely determine if you should consider using them. 

So why or how do these glandulars work?

The exact mechanism is not well understood but there are several functioning theories that may explain why they help so many people. 

The first is simple:

#1. The glandular extracts from animals tend to contain active hormones

This is true of medications such as natural desiccated thyroid hormones such as Armour thyroid. 

This medication contains active T4 and T3 thyroid hormones which are available for immediate use in the body and is one of the reasons why NDT can be used in place of synthetic thyroid hormone medications. 

While this is a benefit to many people it can also be a potential pitfall. 

Why?

Because taking exogenous hormones (meaning taking hormones from a source other than what your body produces naturally) may exert negative feedback on your body and shut down the natural production of hormones in your body (1).

Glandulars that contain cortisol can suppress the HPA axis

This is not necessarily an issue with thyroid glandulars, but it can be a problem with poorly formulated adrenal glandulars. 

Glandular extracts that contain hydrocortisone (2) (or some cortisol equivalent) can impair the HPA axis and lead to long-term issues if not used safely or correctly. 

This is really only a problem if you purchase adrenal glandulars from shady companies or out-of-country suppliers. 

Hydrocortisone is a regulated medication in the US and should NOT be contained in over-the-counter supplements. 

Don’t let this scare you into never considering the use of glandulars. 

If you purchase high-quality supplements you can avoid any potential issues and avoid your supplements being “laced” with hormones that shouldn’t be there. 

This brings us to our second potential mechanism of action:

#2. Glandular supplements may contain inactive (or less active) hormones and enzymes. 

This is probably the reason (again we don’t have a lot of research on the topic) why glandulars may be so effective. 

While we know of many active enzymes and hormones in both the adrenal gland and the thyroid gland there are also many others that we aren’t necessarily aware of or completely understand how they work. 

Taking adrenal glandulars or thyroid glandulars may, therefore, provide your body with enzymes and hormones that you would otherwise not be able to get from medications or from any other source. 

An example of this is the thyroid hormones T2 and T1 which can be found in natural desiccated thyroid hormones. 

Current pharmaceutical preparations of thyroid hormone contain only T4 and/or T3 (and not T2 or T1) which may be part of the reason that patients do much better on NDT glandular formulations. 

This same concept likely applies to hormones and enzymes found in adrenal glandulars. 

This mechanism would also free us from the issues that may arise from HPA dysregulation or HPA suppression and the use of ACTIVE hormones. 

Adrenal glandulars may provide a certain and specific substrate that simply aid in the function of your adrenal glands without suppressing the HPA axis by providing cortisol directly. 

The bottom line?

We don’t know exactly how glandulars work in the body but we have a pretty good idea by extrapolating clinical data and summaries from various patients over hundreds of years. 

As long as adrenal and thyroid glandulars are formulated correctly you should not have HPA suppression issues. 

DOWNLOAD FREE RESOURCES

Foods to Avoid if you Have Thyroid Problems:

I’ve found that these 10 foods cause the most problems for thyroid patients. Learn which foods you should avoid if you have thyroid disease of any type.

DOWNLOAD NOW

The Complete List of Thyroid Lab tests:

The list includes optimal ranges, normal ranges, and the complete list of tests you need to diagnose and manage thyroid disease correctly!

DOWNLOAD NOW

Pharmaceutical Glandulars vs Over the Counter Glandulars

“Glandulars” come in 2 flavors: 

#1. Over-the-counter supplements – One such example is the Thyroid Adrenal Reset Complex

#2. Prescription grade medications – Several examples include porcine-derived Armour thyroid, Nature-throid, NP Thyroid, and WP thyroid

It’s very important to understand the difference for a few reasons. 

Any official pharmaceutical medication must align itself with FDA regulations and rules. 

That means that if you are taking a thyroid glandular you can rest assured (to a large degree) that each capsule/pill is regulated. 

This means that each capsule will contain the SAME amount of active hormone and all inactive ingredients must be labeled. 

The same is not necessarily true for over-the-counter supplements. 

While supplements must comply with basic FDA regulations they are not held to the same standard. 

A supplement company can “say” that a product contains adrenal glandulars but in reality, they may not even be in the supplement! 

On the flip side, they may add substances such as active hormones that shouldn’t be there and which may cause negative side effects. 

You can avoid issues like these by following guidelines to ensure that you get a high-quality “pure” product: 

  • Purchase only high-quality supplements from reputable brands and suppliers
  • Make sure to use supplements formulated in the US (avoid companies that ship overseas)
  • Only consume glandulars from animals that are 100% grass-fed and that consume Non-GMO foods
  • If using adrenal glandulars look for a bovine source (avoid other animal sources)
  • If using thyroid glandulars look for a bovine source for your over-the-counter supplements and look for a porcine source for medications (this is standardized so you don’t need to worry about it)
  • Avoid using glandulars that contain ACTIVE hormones such as cortisol or thyroid hormone – these hormones will disrupt your HPA axis and may lead to dependence
  • Ensure that your supplier checks for pathogenic bacteria (total aerobic count, yeast, mold, salmonella, E. Coli, and S. Aureus) and make sure they come from a country that does not have reports of BSE/TSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy)
  • Listen to your body when supplementing – just because glandulars work for some people doesn’t mean they will work for you.

Using Adrenal Glandulars for Adrenal Fatigue

Many people suffer from some degree of fatigue which can be traced back to adrenal problems otherwise known as adrenal fatigue

Of the many supplements used to treat adrenal fatigue, I’ve found the most success with adrenal glandulars, especially when combined with adrenal adaptogens. 

Adrenal glandulars tend to be less commonly used for some of the reasons listed in this post, but that may be a mistake and a missed opportunity for many patients. 

You’ll know if your supplement has adrenal glandulars in it if it contains something like “adrenal gland”: 

Example of adrenal glandulars on a supplement label

A good supplement will also show you the source (which animal it came from and where). 

The above sample shows a bovine-sourced adrenal gland from Argentina.

If you are considering using glandulars for adrenal problems then make sure you are using a supplement that does NOT contain active cortisol or hydrocortisone. 

The use of these hormones may suppress your HPA axis (just like pharmaceutical-grade steroids) and promote a long-term problem. 

It’s tempting to use supplements that contain active hormones because you often feel quite good while using them, but the long-term problems outweigh any immediate benefits. 

When using glandulars for adrenal fatigue make sure to start out on a low dose to make sure you tolerate the supplement. 

From there you can slowly titrate (increase) up your dose over time. 

Most people experience a significant benefit within 4-8 weeks after starting these supplements. 

Can adrenal glandulars be used long-term?

Yes, but I generally recommend you limit your duration to something around 6-12 months. 

Do you need to titrate down or off your dose?

join 80,000 other thyroid patients who have used dr. westin childs' thyroid support supplements.

Not usually, but some sensitive patients may find better results by slowly reducing their dose over time. 

Can adrenal glandulars be combined with other medications and supplements such as adaptogens?

In most cases, you can definitely (and should seriously consider) use glandulars in combination with other therapies including adrenal adaptogens and vitamins that nourish adrenal function. 

Using Thyroid Glandulars for Thyroid Dysfunction

The use of glandulars for thyroid dysfunction is much different than for that of adrenal dysfunction. 

There are 2 types of thyroid glandulars:

Type #1 = Prescription medications (Armour thyroid, WP thyroid, etc.). 

Type #2 = Over-the-counter bovine supplements (see the example below). 

example of thyroid glandulars in an over the counter supplement

Over-the-counter supplements will include “Thyroid Gland) and include the source. 

The primary difference between these two types is that the prescription medications contain active T3 and T4 (along with T1 and T2) hormones. 

In addition, the value of hormones in each tablet/capsule is standardized. 

Compare this to over-the-counter thyroid glandulars that generally don’t contain active hormones. 

Between these two supplements, the prescription medications tend to work (and are necessary) better for most patients. 

Some patients with early thyroid disease, such as those who are not currently taking thyroid medication, may benefit from over-the-counter thyroid glandulars. 

However, if you are already taking thyroid medication such as levothyroxine or Tirosint then you will most likely not benefit tremendously from the addition of over-the-counter glandulars. 

In this case, you may find relief with the use of prescriptions, however. 

Side Effects of Using Glandular Supplements

Is there any danger to using adrenal and thyroid glandulars?

Serious issues can be avoided by using only high-quality supplements that are free of active hormones. 

Does that mean that you will NOT experience any problems with using glandulars if they are free of hormones?

While most people do great on glandulars, some people may be sensitive to using them and should, therefore, proceed slowly with dosing. 

Patients sensitive to glandulars (thyroid or adrenal) may experience these side effects: 

  • Jittery sensation or sensation of “too much energy”
  • Lightheadedness or dizziness
  • Acute worsening of fatigue
  • Intestinal issues (increase in acid reflux)
  • Stomach pain after consumption

These side effects generally resolve once you stop using the supplement but they also may disappear over time. 

Is there a concern for hormone or HPA suppression while using adrenal and thyroid glandulars?

Provided you use supplements that do not contain active hormones then you shouldn’t have a problem with HPA suppression. 

Back to you

Thyroid and adrenal glandulars may provide a safe and effective way to treat hormone imbalances in your body such as hypothyroidism and adrenal fatigue. 

Caution should be used when considering these supplements as they may contain inactive enzymes and hormones from animal glands. 

The use of adrenal glandulars for adrenal fatigue tends to be quite effective and may be worth considering if you suffer from fatigue or low energy. 

Prescription thyroid glandulars may be more effective for individuals who suffer from thyroid disease, especially when compared to over-the-counter thyroid glandulars. 

As always make sure you listen to your body and use only supplements that help you feel better. 

Now I want to hear from you:

Have you used adrenal glandulars or thyroid glandulars before?

Did they work for you?

Why or why not?

Leave your comments below! 

#1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3860380/

#2. https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/hydrocortisone/

using adrenal glandulars to treat adrenal fatigue

picture of westin childs D.O. standing

About Dr. Westin Childs

Hey! I'm Westin Childs D.O. (former Osteopathic Physician). I don't practice medicine anymore and instead specialize in helping people like YOU who have thyroid problems, hormone imbalances, and weight loss resistance. I love to write and share what I've learned over the years. I also happen to formulate the best supplements on the market (well, at least in my opinion!) and I'm proud to say that over 80,000+ people have used them over the last 7 years. You can read more about my own personal health journey and why I am so passionate about what I do.

P.S. Here are 4 ways you can get more help right now:

#1. Get my free thyroid downloads, resources, and PDFs here.

#2. Need better symptom control? Check out my thyroid supplements.

#3. Sign up to receive 20% off your first order.

#4. Follow me on Youtube, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram for up-to-date thyroid tips, tricks, videos, and more.

31 thoughts on “Adrenal Glandulars: Do They Help Treat Adrenal Fatigue?”

  1. Dr. Childs, I switched from levothyroxine to Naturethroid 6 months ago; now I cant find Naturethroid. The pharmacies that I’ve contacted tell me it’s on backorder & they don’t know when or if it will come in. They don’t have WPthroid either. Do you recommend Thyrovanz? Do you have any information about the Naturethroid shortage?

    Reply
    • You can get updated information about Nature-Throid and WP Thyroid on their website Getrealthyroid.com or on their Facebook page.
      They moved their facility and upgraded equipment and also had an issue with getting supplied one of their ingredients. They are back in production of Nature-throid and have been filling backorders. Last I heard they were caught up and shipping the 1 grain tablets and working on 1/2 grain and then moving to 3/4 grain. They should be getting to WP soon and start working on those backorders. Once they get all backorders filled they will be back in regular production.

      Reply
  2. Hi Dr. Childs-
    Can I take the Thyroid Adrenal Reset Complex with high cortisol levels? I am currently taking Armour thyroid and LDN therapy with adaptogens such as holy basil and ashwagandha. My cortisol level has slowly been creeping down over the last year but still remains high at 19 (which the lab says is normal range). I’m getting at least 8 hours of sleep every night.

    Reply
    • Hi Courtney,

      Adrenal adaptogens tend to have a “normalizing” effect on cortisol to the extent that they can both increase and decrease cortisol depending on the person. There’s now way to know for sure that it will work for you and therefore trial and error may be one of the best ways to determine what works best for you.

      Reply
  3. A naturopath just had me start 1 tablet of Standard Process Adrenal Desiccated around lunch time. I started less than a week ago. I feel like I can’t fall asleep at night. Normally I can go right away but now I have way more energy at a time when I don’t want it . Should I stop taking it or try mornings?

    Reply
    • Hi Christianne,

      Unfortunately I’m not familiar with that product so I can’t really offer much advice about how to proceed.

      Reply
  4. Thank you. This is the best page I have found about glandulars. I was worried that by taking douglas adrenplus-300 I could be risking shutting my adrenal down. I understand now this is not the situation. You advise not to take during more than 12 months. What about during pregnancy?

    Reply
  5. Hi Dr. Childs,
    I wanted to find our which brand of supplement that I can buy locally do you recommend for adrenal fatigue that contains both glandular and adaptogens without having to order online? thank you for your help
    cyndi

    Reply
    • Hi Cyndi,

      In general, I’m not really a fan of local brands because they are usually of poor quality. And yes, I generally recommend a combination of adaptogens plus glandulars.

      Reply
  6. Hello Dr. Child’s, I live here in Arizona where it shows you have an office and I’ve called and left a couple messages to see if you are taking any new patients now or if I can buy your supplements here locally in your office? Thank you so much
    Cyndi

    Reply
  7. Hello Dr Childs,
    I have been taking Adrenavive adrenal supplement and Metavive thyroid (Natural Health Choice Ltd) since June, having stopped taking Levothyroxine. I had not been feeling well for some time, my pulse was low and I was having bouts of AF. Now, my pulse is around normal, my metabolism feels better and I have more energy. I do still have occasional bouts of AF but I’m hoping that might improve. So altogether I feel pretty good. Mary

    Reply
    • Hi Mary,

      I’m not familiar with that supplement so I can’t say if it safe or not, but I’m glad you are feeling pretty good! You might be able to feel a lot better, though, if you get on the right supplements/therapies!

      Reply
    • You may be low on Magnesium. Many people experience AF when their mag levels are too low. Research the various types and take them to see if that will resolve your AF. Good fortune and God bless you!

      Reply
  8. When I was diagnosed with Addison’s disease in 2010 I was put on hydrocortisone and florinef and I felt sick and awful I was always in the hospital getting fluids or at home feeling sick with a very poor quality of life. I was 23. I went to a Duke University Endocrinologist who said I had an idiopathic allergy to the hydrocortisone that I needed to live. I suffered a while and then finally saw a Naturopathic Doctor and he introduced me to Isocort (the original) I took the original Isocort (with animal adrenals in it) and I felt back to normal with no side effects. A couple of years later the FDA stopped it from coming in the USA and I had to resort back to hydrocortisone, now I am sick all the time and feel awful not a good quality of life, in the hospital all the time again. Are there any adrenal glandular products you could recommend that are comparative to the original Isocort (not the plant based one)?

    Reply
  9. I have stage 2 adrenal fatigue. I have tried using the glandular that you recommended in the past, and felt jittery, fatigued, and very irritable. I stopped them after a few days and just stuck with the adaptogen herbs. It subsided. I just tested again (cortisol arc was opposite what it should be) and started glandulars again with a different company. (Still very reputable, you use some of their products as well) and I”m on day two. And I’m feeling unbearably tired and a little irritable. VERY tired. Is this normal? I read that if the liver is kicking into gear and detoxifying faster with the addition of the glandular, that you can feel a detox effect and almost flu-like. I don’t feel flu-like but the fatigue alone almost does. Thoughts? Suggestions?

    Reply
  10. Hi Dr. Child’s,
    Thank you for this detailed article on glandular supplements – it’s one of the most in depth articles I’ve found on the supplements on the internet as there doesn’t seem to be too much info on the subject. In the article you mentioned that glandulars that contain active hormones can feel quite good, but should be avoided. How would one know if they’re taking a supplement with active hormones? Right now I’m taking a supplement called Raw Adrenal by Natural Sources and it’s helped me than any other vitamin, herb, adaptogen, etc has. I just want to make sure that it’s safe to take therapeutically and will not cause some type of dependence or diminishing of HPA function in the future. Thank you very much!

    Reply
    • Hi Jim,

      There’s no way to tell for sure unless it’s third-party tested or assayed, but if you purchase it in the United States from a reputable vendor then the chances of it containing active hormone go down dramatically.

      Reply
    • My understanding or interpretation of saying “active” adrenal glandulars would be supplements containing only the adrenal cortex versus the full adrenal gland. For instance, Thorne Adrenal Cortex Extract versus Thorne Cort-r-ex. The full gland contains adrenaline, while the cortex does not.

      Reply
  11. Dear Dr. Child’s,
    I am very confused my doctor told me that Pure Thyro was the same as Naturethyroid. My pure thyro is from professional formulas which I have been on almost two years. I have been on thyroid meds for twenty years. Listening to a video of Dr. Carolyn Dean she said in medical school they were told not to take glandular more than three months. Doctors aren’t very helpful with thyroid is what I have in countered which leaves one feeling very alone and distrusting. I have tried several times to come off of thyroid but I seemed to swell with fluid or something. I try and do everything I can but it gets so hard on your own when no one explains anything. I want to be safe and I want to feel well and have some energy. I am short and petite and it is very hard to have weight that you have never been use to in your life it smoothers me. I am doing ok now other than fatigue depression somewhat. Do intermittent fasting. But weight doesn’t budge must. Sometimes up and down ten pounds. Without that I carry about fifteen pounds more than I use to but that is better than the forty I put on eating nothing. Could you please just tell me am I safe on this professional formula pure thyro? Should I try to get off or what. I have been to so many different doctors. I would appreciate if you would please tell me if I could be hurting my body with this supplement or what should I do. Just plain decent good advice I would forever be grateful.
    Sincerely
    Sharon

    Reply
  12. I was prescribed AdrenaMed GL50 by NuMedica by a Hormone Clinic because they thought my adrenals were burnt out and after a few weeks, had a 24 hour urine cortisol test with my Endo that showed my levels were A-ok….. I stopped taking the Adrenal supplement the week before, but as it has thymus, adrenal and spleen from Argentenian bovine, I don’t know if I need it or should take it. I still have hypothyroid-ish type symptoms. I can’t make sense?

    Reply
    • Hi Jessica,

      You will find out pretty quick if you need to restart back up the supplement 🙂 Your symptoms will return if you do.

      Reply
  13. Hi Dr Childs! Thank you for this information. I’m curious why you recommend that OTC thyroid glandulars should be bovine sourced and prescription porcine sourced. Is an OTC porcine sourced thyroid glandular unsafe to take?
    Thanks so much!

    Reply
  14. I have had issues with low morning cortisol for years which I believe has led to my fatigue issues. Currently on NDT 1 grain and use a split does protocol. My cortisol pattern from my last test was: 8am .2 12pm 7 4pm 2.7 and 8pm 2.0 which resulted in a Very Low, High, High, High pattern. I have not used adrenal glandulars but am interested in giving it a try. What time of day would be best to take them as I usually struggle with insomnia. Thank you

    Reply
  15. I am hypothyroid. I take T3 and a small dose of Armour. I still have energy problems. I had my cortisol tested and it was low. It was a AM blood test. My doctor did not have any ideas for treatment. I have always had a horrible time getting up in the rat race of mornings, the more stressful the worse it is. I decided to try adrenal glandulars. I think they make me have nod off sleep issues. I know I have a problem with supplements and OTC medications that make you sleep or calm down, they make me a zombie. I have moments when taking the adrenal glandulars where I nod off for a few seconds. Sometimes the sleepy effect is so overwhelming I give up and take a long nap. I thought the adrenal glandulars would give me energy but they did not. I stopped them and after 3 to 4 days my sleepiness did subsiding.

    Reply
    • Hi Sher,

      Some people can experience strange reactions to supplements but if you experienced sleepiness while taking them then I would recommend just taking them at night so it won’t impact your day. Also, please note that it can take several weeks for adrenal supplements to really take effect.

      Reply
  16. Help, where do I buy an cortisol adrenal adaptogens and adrenal glandular? I can’t see for sale on your website? Excellent information in article to help high cortisol 28. Please advise where can get, live in rural pa, no neutrapath. Dr’s here. God bless for your time and wisdom in this matter. Blessings Karla

    Reply

Leave a Comment

1
Your Cart
berberine 500+ front bottle image 1500 x 1500 (updated)
Berberine 500+ | Dihydroberberine Weight Loss Formula (60 Servings)
Price: $53.99
- +
$53.99
Calculate Shipping
Shipping to:AZ