Table 1.
States associated with decreased hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis activity (Modified with permission from Journal of the American Medical Association 5 )
| Adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease) |
| Glucocorticoid withdrawal states |
| Post stress period |
| Post abrupt cessation of regular chronic exercise |
| After Cushing syndrome cure |
| Post discontinuation of glucocorticoid therapy |
| Oestrogen and CRH withdrawal syndromes |
| Premenstrual tension syndrome |
| Postpartum period |
| Perimenopausal period |
| Atypical/seasonal depression |
| Chronic fatigue syndrome |
| Fibromyalgia |
| Other chronic pain and fatigue states |
| Hypothyroidism |
| Nicotine withdrawal |
CRH, corticotropin‐releasing hormone.