Alright, I was hoping to do this via PM since it’s rather personal, but the PM function doesn’t seem to work, so I’ll give you a condensed version here.
I can’t provide you with very good advice about planning a deload, since I don’t consider myself to be experienced enough in powerlifting programming. I’ve been strength training for a long time but have only been serious about it for sporadic periods of time, most recently within the last two-odd years (this time I won’t look back!). One thing that I can say, however, is that your hormonal conditions are likely related to training. If I recall correctly, you’re a hockey player, yes? How many training hours do you put in per week for both sports?
I was a performance athlete growing up and was (and still am) the king of overdoing my training intensity. Some people have super-resiliant endocrine systems and can withstand tonnes of training stress, but I am not one of these people. In short, I shot my T and thyroid function about ten years ago doing way too much endurance work. After being a fairly muscular and athletic kid, by 20 I was at like minus 10% bodyfat and looked like a twig without leaves. Went unknowingly through the whole standard medical help thing and then busted out as soon as I was convinced that my docs had no idea what they were doing.
Slowly I was able to regain decent levels on my own, but only through being anal about very common-sense things. You’re probably right in targeting the adrenals, they have such a huge influence on the entire endocrine system. That said: try to avoid stimulants, force good sleeping habits, drink lots of tea (the whole shabang, there’s tons of information online about this). Take some time off of training, but not too long. I think the body has a tremendous adaptive capacity and must be used to resistance training. I’d say one or two weeks, then go for a normal deload week before resuming normal training. Just ease into things – don’t go for any “+” sets on 5/3/1 for a few weeks. At least regarding overall health, there really is merit to long-term periodization, and I’d recommend reading something by Bompa or Verkhoshansky so that you can plan out your year and not burn your system out.
I’m also not sure at what kind of bodyfat levels you are now, but I was able to notice the best improvements in “perceived” hormonal levels once I gained one or two percent fat. I’m by no means a fatty, I was just at a level far too low for my normal endocrine homeostasis and for my best training performance. Are you naturally lean or are you sitting now at a level that’s somewhat leaner than you’re used to?
In terms of diet and supplementation: fats really do help one feel better in such situations. Olive oil, fish oil, steak oil. I really like ginger and its close relative, ginseng, which I feel do tend to have a positive effect on endocrine balance. Be careful with the latter, however, since it is also a stimulant. I also respond very well to DAA, I find that when cycled it can really help boost HPTA function. Vitamin D is a must, even in the summer. Did you have a comprehensive blood panel done or moreso HPTA-specific work? At any rate, don’t fret, it’ll take time to get things back up to optimal levels, but I’m certain you can do it quickly. For me, it was really just about being skeptical of my own programming and intensity and careful about my recovery. Keep stress low, have fun, be optimistic.