Adrenal Gland Disorders

What are adrenal gland disorders?

When the adrenal glands make too much or too little of a certain hormone, it can result in a person developing adrenal gland disorders. These hormones help balance your metabolism, immune system, blood pressure, and stress response. The hormones include:

  • Cortisol
  • Adrenaline
  • Aldosterone

There are different types of adrenal gland disorders. Common ones that your doctor might discuss with you are:

  • Addison’s disease, when you do not produce enough cortisol and/or aldosterone
  • Adrenal gland suppression, sometimes linked to people taking synthetic hormones like prednisone or dexamethasone
  • Cushing syndrome, if your body has high levels of cortisol
  • Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, if you lack essential enzymes to make enough hormones
  • Hyperaldosteronism, when too much aldosterone is produced
  • Virilization, if the body produces too much of the male sex hormones (found in females or in boys before they reach puberty)

Speaking directly with a healthcare professional is the best way to receive an accurate medical diagnosis. Once you receive an appropriate diagnosis, the doctor will be able to determine the best treatment plan for your condition.

How common are adrenal gland disorders?

Back to top

In the big picture, adrenal gland disorders are typically rare but can happen to anyone. The number of people who are affected and are at risk will depend on the specific adrenal gland disorder. Cushing syndrome, for instance, predominantly affects women.

What are symptoms of adrenal gland disorders?

Back to top

Symptoms typically vary based on a person’s specific adrenal gland disorder and the hormones that cause the disorder. There can be overlap when it comes to showing adrenal gland disorder symptoms that are similar to other unrelated conditions.

Symptoms that can be associated with high cortisol levels include:

  • High blood pressure
  • Fatigue
  • Upper body obesity (arms and legs stay thinner)
  • Diabetes
  • Confusion
  • Easily bruised skin
  • Wide discolored streaks on your stomach (abdomen)

 

If you have high aldosterone levels, you may experience:

  • Weakness
  • Muscle spasms
  • Muscle pain
  • High blood pressure
  • Low potassium (hypokalemia)

 

When you have a hormonal imbalance that causes high levels of male sex hormones, it may initially manifest as:

  • Acne
  • Facial hair
  • Balding
  • A deepening voice
  • More muscles
  • A greater sex drive

It is important to speak with your doctor as soon as you notice these or other unusual changes to your body.

What causes adrenal gland disorders?

Back to top

It is not always clear why certain people develop adrenal gland disorders while others do not. There are some common reasons aside from adrenal glands making too much or little of any specific hormone. Other reasons are:

  • A different condition is affecting your pituitary gland
  • Side effects from one of your medications
  • Exposure to certain chemicals in your environment
  • DNA changes (genetic mutations) that raise or lower hormone levels

How are adrenal gland disorders diagnosed?

Back to top

Your healthcare provider will ask you questions about symptoms and conduct a physical exam before any further steps are taken. Ordering tests to review your hormone levels might happen next and would examine your saliva, blood, and urine.

If your doctor suspects the presence of tumors, next steps can include:

  • CT (computed tomography) scans
  • MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
  • Nuclear medicine imaging

Your doctor may also recommend that you visit an endocrinologist, who specializes in hormones and diseases of the endocrine system. Pediatric endocrinologists are available to treat babies or children.

How are adrenal gland disorders treated?

Back to top

Speaking directly with a healthcare provider or specialist will give you insight into your specific condition’s best treatment options. Taking medications may work best for certain disorders and can help increase hormone levels. Other conditions that involve tumors may require surgery or radiation therapy.

Each person’s care is different, but a doctor will be able to determine the method with the most comprehensive outcome for your long-term health management.

What are complications of adrenal gland disorders?

Back to top

Untreated adrenal gland disorders can end up leading to serious, sometimes life-threatening, complications. A person’s hormones control many of the body’s functions, which is why it is essential to speak with a doctor right away if you notice any unusual symptoms.

What is the outlook for adrenal gland disorders?

Back to top

A person’s outlook depends on their condition. An early adrenal gland disorder diagnosis and prompt treatment can benefit you. Acting soon and quickly helps to improve your likelihood of getting back on track. Thorough treatment also helps patients improve how they manage their condition. A healthcare provider can offer insight while better managing a patient’s treatment and recovery expectations.

Can adrenal gland disorders be prevented?

Back to top

There is currently no method to prevent adrenal gland disorders. Even though there might be a risk since researchers are unclear why the disorders happen, there might also be a way for you to lower your likelihood of developing a disorder.

You can avoid taking male hormones to build any muscle mass. These hormones sometimes lead to adrenal gland disorders and may also cause damage to your body’s other glands.

When should you seek medical care for adrenal gland disorders?

Back to top

Seeing your healthcare provider versus knowing when you need to visit the emergency room is not always straightforward. Understanding serious versus life-threatening symptoms is crucial.

Make an appointment with your doctor if you:

  • Gain weight primarily in your upper body
  • Have unexplained weight loss
  • Feel intense and debilitating fatigue
  • Experience severe or ongoing pain
  • See sudden skin changes (bruising, stretch marks)
  • Notice changes in hair growth

 

A severe lack of cortisol can cause adrenal insufficiency, a life-threatening condition that can progress into an adrenal crisis. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

  • Weakness
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Sudden, severe pain in your lower body
  • Confusion and fainting
  • Low blood pressure
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

Your doctor might provide you with an injectable glucocorticoid for adrenal insufficiency. The portable medication treatment helps reduce pain and inflammation. Make sure that you or a loved one can safely and accurately administer the medication injections.

Categories

Archives