1. For the first test the only equipment you need is a ball point pen. This
test was first described in 1917 by a French physician named Sergent as a simple
test for low adrenal function (or burnout) that is still useful today. To do this test,
simply take the dull end of a ballpoint pen and lightly stroke the skin of your
abdomen, making a mark about 6" long.
Within a few seconds a line will appear. In a normal reaction, the mark made
by the pen is initially white but reddens within a few seconds. If you have
hypoadrenia (adrenal fatigue), the line will stay white for about two minutes and will also widen.
This test, although not always positive in people with adrenal fatigue (about 40% of
cases) is a definite confirmation of the presence of adrenal fatigue when it
does show up.
2. You need a chair, a small flashlight or penlight, a mirror, a watch with a
second hand and a dark room. Darken the room and sit in a chair in front of a
mirror. Then shine a flashlight across one eye (not directly into it) from the
side of your head. Keep the light shining steadily across one eye and watch in
the mirror with the other.
You should see your pupil (the dark circle in the center of the eye) contract
immediately as the light hits your eye. This occurs because the iris, a tiny
circular muscle composed of small muscle fibers, contracts and dilates the
pupils in response to light. Just like any muscle, after it has been exercised
beyond normal capacity, it likes to have a rest.
The pupil normally remains contracted in the increased light. But if you have
some form of adrenal fatigue, the pupil will not be able to hold its contraction
and will dilate despite the light shining on it. This dilation will take place
within 2 minutes and will last for about 30-45 seconds before it recovers and
contracts again. Time how long the dilation lasts with the second hand on the
watch and record it along with the date. After you do this once, let the eye
rest. If you have any difficulty doing this on yourself, do it with a friend.
Have a friend shine the light across your eye while both of you watch the pupil
size.
In a normal iris, the pupil will contract and stay contracted. In those with
burnout (or adrenal fatigue), after the initial contraction the pupil starts to dilate
slowly. It then alternately contracts and dilates, after which it remains
dilated.
Retest monthly. If your eye indicates you are suffering from adrenal fatigue,
this also serves an indicator of recovery. As you recover from adrenal fatigue,
the iris will hold its contraction and the pupil will remain small for longer.
This diminished ability of the iris to remain contracted is present in moderate
to severe adrenal fatigue but may not be present in mild cases.
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There is also a relatively new laboratory test using saliva hormone
testing: details are available via Dianna, who
holds qualifications in nutritional and health fields that enable her to
identify and resolve health issues affecting business and personal goals.
