Adrenal insufficiency is a condition in which the adrenal glands do not produce adequate amounts of steroid hormones, primarily cortisol; but may also include impaired production of aldosterone (a mineralocorticoid), which regulates sodium conservation, potassium secretion, and water retention. Adrenal insufficiency is a disorder first described by Thomas Addison in 1855, which is characterized by deficient production or action of glucocorticoids and/or mineralocorticoids and adrenal androgens. This life-threatening disease may result from disorders affecting the adrenal cortex (primary), the anterior pituitary gland (secondary), or the … Next Article Acute Kidney Injury After Transfemoral Versus Transapical Approach for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Tritos NA. Adrenal insufficiency occurs when your adrenal cortex is damaged. There are two types of adrenal insufficiency.

Adrenal Gland Disorders are disorders of your adrenal glands when they make too much or too little hormones such as Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, Addison’s disease or other types of adrenal dysfunction. Adrenal Fatigue/Adrenal Insufficiency Adrenal Fatigue, also called adrenal insufficiency or adrenal hypofunction, causes a decrease in the secretions of both the glucocorticoids … Secondary adrenal insufficiency is diagnosed by blood tests. It is a life-threatening situation that requires immediate medical attention. Unlike in Addison disease, sodium and potassium levels tend to be near normal in secondary adrenal insufficiency, and the corticotropin level is low. While a high serum potassium level (>4.5) may be indicative of adrenal insufficiency, a low level (< 4) may indicate adrenal stress.

An adrenal crisis occurs when there is not enough cortisol in the body, and in the case of primary adrenal insufficiency, also not enough aldosterone. Adrenal insufficiency is the decreased production of adrenocortical hormones (glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and adrenal androgens) and can be primary, s… Sources 1. Learn the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of adrenal insufficiency.

Secondary adrenal

This rare condition should not be confused with adrenal fatigue (which is not a true medical condition).