Laparoscopic removal of the adrenal gland.

Adrenal insufficiency & Addison's disease.

You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. We link primary sources - including studies, scientific references, and statistics - within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations.

cyanosis, where lips and nail beds turn blue due to a lack of oxygenįactors that can trigger a crisis include:įor this reason, it is essential to seek prompt advice if anyone experiences symptoms that could indicate adrenal insufficiency.

confusion or reduced levels of alertness.

It can happen suddenly and can be life threatening. However, when damage affects 90% of the adrenal cortex, the body will no longer be able to produce aldosterone or cortisol, and symptoms will start to appear.Īs symptoms progress, a crisis may develop, which health experts call an Addisonian or acute adrenal crisis. Symptoms usually appear after a person stops using the drugs, especially if they do so abruptly.Ĭhanges in hormone levels usually happen over time, and a person may not notice any difference. This leads to a reduction in a type of steroid known as glucocorticoid. Secondary adrenal deficiency can also develop when a person uses steroid drugs that affect the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland and prevent the body from producing ACTH.

genetic conditions that affect the pituitary gland.

Other causes of secondary adrenal insufficiency include: Consequently, the adrenal glands will also produce lower levels of hormones. Issues with the pituitary glands can cause them to produce less ACTH.

The pituitary gland produces adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which stimulates the adrenal glands to produce other hormones. Indirectly, issues with the pituitary gland can cause Addison’s disease.

the use of drugs that prevent the production of cortisol, including ketoconazole and etomidate.

conditions a person has from birth, such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

conditions such as hemochromatosis, cancer, and amyloidosis.

bleeding in the adrenal glands due to trauma, blood clotting, or other factors.

infections such as TB, cytomegalovirus, and HIV.

This is the outer layer of the adrenal glands. This condition results from direct injury to the adrenal cortex. Types: Primary and secondary adrenal insufficiencyĪ person may have primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency.

Adrenal cortex activity