Jennifer Engels, MD, IFMCP 

We’ve all felt it—the racing heartbeat before a big presentation, the sleepless nights worrying about finances, or the constant tension of juggling work and family. Stress isn’t just a mental burden; it’s a physical storm that disrupts your body’s delicate balance, particularly your hormones and immune system. 

As a Functional Medicine physician, I see firsthand how chronic stress silently undermines health, leading to fatigue, frequent illnesses, and even autoimmune conditions. Let’s break down how this happens—and what you can do about it.

The Stress-Hormone-Immune Connection

Your body’s stress response is governed by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, a communication network between your brain and adrenal glands. When stressed, your brain signals your adrenal glands to release cortisol, the “stress hormone.” In small doses, cortisol is helpful—it sharpens focus and mobilizes energy. But chronic stress keeps cortisol levels high, leading to a cascade of problems:

1. Hormonal Chaos

• Adrenal Exhaustion: Over time, constant cortisol production wears out your adrenals, causing fatigue, weight fluctuations, and cravings for salty foods
• Cortisol Dominance: High cortisol suppresses other hormones (like progesterone and testosterone), disrupting sleep, mood, and metabolism

2. Immune System Breakdown

• Weakened Defenses: Chronic stress reduces infection-fighting white blood cells (lymphocytes) and slows wound healing
• Inflammation Overdrive: Elevated cortisol initially tames inflammation, but prolonged stress flips the switch, fueling autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or IBS

Are Your Adrenals Struggling? Common Symptoms

Adrenal dysregulation—often called “adrenal fatigue”—manifests in ways many dismiss as “just getting older”:

• Constant exhaustion, even after sleep
• Dizziness when standing (low blood pressure)
• Brain fog, anxiety, or irritability
• Frequent colds or slow recovery from illness
• Salt cravings or unexplained weight loss

Left unchecked, this imbalance can lead to autoimmune diseases, heart issues, or severe burnout.

Why Conventional Medicine Often Misses the Mark

Traditional healthcare excels at acute care but often overlooks the root causes of stress-related disorders. For example:

• Symptom-Focused Care: Medications might mask fatigue or high blood pressure but don’t address why your adrenals are struggling
• Incomplete Testing: Standard labs check for extreme adrenal failure (like Addison’s disease) but not the subtle dysregulation affecting millions

This is where Functional Medicine shines.

A Functional Approach to Restoring Balance

At WeCare Frisco, we dig deeper to understand why your body is stuck in stress mode. Through personalized testing and lifestyle analysis, we create plans that reset your HPA axis and strengthen immunity:

1. Targeted Testing

• Cortisol Rhythm Analysis: Saliva tests track cortisol levels throughout the day to identify imbalances
• Nutrient Deficiency Checks: Low vitamin D, magnesium, or B vitamins worsen stress resilience 

2. Lifestyle Healing

• Stress Resilience Training: Mindfulness, breathwork, and sleep hygiene to calm the nervous system
• Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition: Emphasizing whole foods, healthy fats, clean protein sources, and adaptogens like ashwagandha to support adrenals

3. Personalized Supplementation 

• Adrenal Support: Nutrients like vitamin C, pantothenic acid, and licorice root (when appropriate)
• Immune Modulators: Probiotics, omega-3s and sometimes even Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) to reduce inflammation

You Don’t Have to Live in Survival Mode

Stress in our lives is inevitable, but suffering isn’t. Imagine waking up energized, thinking clearly, and feeling resilient against life’s challenges. This isn’t a distant dream—it’s achievable by rebalancing your hormones and immune system.

Take the First Step Toward Renewed Vitality

At WeCare Frisco, we partner with you to uncover the root causes of your stress-related symptoms. Whether you’re battling fatigue, recurrent infections, or unexplained weight changes, our Functional Medicine approach offers hope—and science-backed solutions.

Ready to reclaim your energy and health? Call the clinic at (972) 668-2636 to schedule your Foundational Assessment. Let’s work together to transform stress from a burden into a manageable part of your vibrant, thriving life.