Functional Medicine for HPA Axis Dysfunction with Mosaic Medical
What Is HPA Axis Dysfunction?
HPA Axis Dysfunction refers to an imbalance in the communication between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands. Together, these regulate the body’s stress response.
This condition was once called “adrenal fatigue,” but we now know that the adrenal glands don’t simply become “tired.” Instead, the stress response system changes, leading to unhealthy or inappropriate reactions to physical, emotional, or environmental stressors.
How It Affects People:
When the HPA axis is disrupted, the body struggles to regulate stress, hormones, and energy. Over time, this can cause persistent fatigue, reduced resilience, and wide-ranging symptoms.
- Fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
- Brain fog and poor concentration
- Low motivation or mood changes
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Cravings for salt or sugar
- Lightheadedness when standing up
Conventional treatment often involves dismissal of symptoms as stress or burnout, with advice to rest more, take antidepressants, or make lifestyle changes. While these can sometimes help, they rarely explore the deeper imbalances driving the dysfunction.
Our Functional Medicine Approach
At Mosaic Medical, we focus on uncovering the why behind your fatigue and stress intolerance. Rather than masking symptoms, we investigate what has disrupted the HPA axis in the first place.
- Chronic stress and cortisol imbalance (even if you don’t “feel” stressed, your body may still be in overdrive)
- Blood sugar instability
- Gut microbiome disruptions and inflammation
- Toxic burden (e.g. mould, pollutants, heavy metals)
- Nutrient deficiencies and absorption issues
- Comprehensive hormone and adrenal lab testing (including saliva, urine, and blood markers)
- Personalised nutrition and supplementation protocols
- Stress resilience training and nervous system support
- Sleep optimisation strategies
- Lifestyle and mindset coaching to support long-term recovery
What Makes Our Clinic Different
- Personalised health plans – tailored to your unique biochemistry, stress patterns, and history
- Detailed testing – advanced hormone and adrenal testing not usually offered in standard care
- Safe medical oversight – as GMC-registered doctors, we can prescribe or recommend treatments safely
- Whole-body care – combining nutrition, stress management, gut health, and lifestyle support for long-term resilience
Common Root Causes We Investigate
- Chronic stress and unresolved trauma
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Chronic infections (e.g. Epstein-Barr virus)
- Gut dysbiosis and microbiome imbalances
- Food sensitivities and inflammatory diets
- Toxic exposures (mould, heavy metals, chemicals)
- Other hormonal imbalances (thyroid and sex hormones)
FAQ – HPA Axis Dysfunction & Functional Medicine
Do you offer lab testing for HPA Axis Dysfunction?
Yes. We use saliva and dried urine tests (such as the DUTCH test) to measure cortisol rhythms and other hormonal markers. These may be combined with nutritional or stool testing to understand why your adrenal response has become imbalanced.
Can you work with my GP?
Absolutely. We often collaborate with GPs, endocrinologists, and other specialists to ensure safe, integrated care.
Do you offer remote consultations?
Yes. We support patients virtually across the UK.
How do appointments work?
Your first appointment is 90 minutes long, and your doctor will have reviewed your case beforehand. During the consultation, we’ll explore your symptoms, possible causes, and decide together on testing and treatment priorities.
Does the appointment price include testing?
No. Testing is charged separately and only recommended if it will meaningfully impact your care plan.
I already have test results and a diagnosis – can you still help?
Yes. You can upload your results before your consultation. If there are many, there may be a small preparation fee, but we will always discuss this with you first.
How does the nutrition side work?
Nutrition is central to restoring adrenal balance. We provide tailored dietary advice, and for complex cases, we may recommend working with our nutritional therapist alongside your doctor to speed up recovery.
Ready to Restore Your Energy?
We recommend starting with a free discovery call with one of our doctors or nutritional therapists. This will give you the chance to share your story, ask questions, and decide whether our approach feels right for you. You can also review our doctors’ profiles and choose who you’d like to meet with.