This can occur when your body is stressed. This is called acute adrenal insufficiency, or Addisonian crisis. What are the complications of adrenal insufficiency? These can help keep your body's sodium and potassium levels normal. You may also need to take other medicines (fludrocortisones). You may have to take them for the rest of your life. You may take these medicines by mouth or by IV. Treatment often starts with IV (intravenous) fluids and medicines called corticosteroids. But if you have Addison's disease, you may need to take aldosterone as well.Īddison's disease can be deadly. You will need to take hormones to replace those that your adrenal glands are not making. How long the condition is expected to last How well you can handle certain medicines, procedures, or therapies Your age, overall health, and past health Your healthcare provider will figure out the best treatment for you based on: These include X-rays, ultrasound, and MRI. These can check levels of the adrenal hormones and ACTH. Tests that can diagnose adrenal insufficiency include:īlood and urine tests. Your healthcare provider will ask about your medical history.

Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. These symptoms may look like other health problems. If not treated, adrenal insufficiency may lead to: In women, irregular or no menstrual periods Symptoms may include:īluish-black color around the nipples, mouth, rectum, scrotum, or vagina (Addison's disease only) You may have mild symptoms when you are under physical stress. What are the symptoms of adrenal insufficiency? Pituitary gland is removed or you have radiation treatment of the pituitary gland For example, people with asthma or rheumatoid arthritis may need to take prednisone.

That can happen if you must take certain steroids for a long time due to a health problem. Inherited disorders of the endocrine glandsĪ lack of the hormone ACTH leads to secondary adrenal insufficiency. Tuberculosis infection of the adrenal glands Primary adrenal insufficiency is most often caused when your immune system attacks your healthy adrenal glands by mistake. As a result the adrenal glands don’t make enough cortisol. This starts when the pituitary gland doesn’t make enough of the hormone ACTH (adrenocorticotropin). They don’t make enough of the hormones cortisol and aldosterone. It occurs when the adrenal glands are damaged. It also controls blood pressure and affects how your immune system works.Īdrenal insufficiency can be primary or secondary: Cortisol helps break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in your body. They work with the hypothalamus and pituitary glands in the brain. Adrenal insufficiency occurs when the adrenal glands don’t make enough of the hormone cortisol.

Adrenal gland disorders