Examining the amount of DHEA and diurnal cortisol in your saliva at four distinct periods throughout the day can be a comprehensive approach to evaluating the full capability of your adrenal glands. It can be used for pinpointing discrepancies in hormone levels which can be caused by an overabundance or deficiency, correlating the levels of hormones with the symptoms to create a tailored course of action, revaluating and reorganizing treatment as needed, and monitoring progress with follow-up assessments. The contrast between stress that we can handle and stress that becomes unmanageable – stress compared to distress – is the division between having a balanced or unbalanced adrenal system. The latter transpires when emotional, mental, or physical stressors force our adrenal glands to react too frequently or for an extended period of time, which in turn can lead to adrenal fatigue. Cortisol has a two-sided impact on the immune system. An abrupt stress situation will direct white blood cells to their posts to increase our immunity against illness. Conversely, chronic stress will deplete our immunity, leaving us exposed to illnesses.