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Adrenal insufficiency is a condition in which the adrenal glands do not produce adequate amounts of steroid hormones.The adrenal glands—also referred to as the adrenal cortex—normally secrete glucocorticoids (primarily cortisol), mineralocorticoids (primarily aldosterone), and androgens.
Adrenal crisis, also known as Addisonian crisis or acute adrenal insufficiency, is a life-threatening complication of adrenal insufficiency. Hypotension and hypovolemic shock are the main symptoms of an adrenal crisis. Other symptoms include weakness, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, fever, fatigue, abnormal electrolytes, confusion, and coma.
Adrenal glands, anterior (left) and posterior (right) surface. The adrenal glands are located on both sides of the body in the retroperitoneum, above and slightly medial to the kidneys. In humans, the right adrenal gland is pyramidal in shape, whereas the left is semilunar or crescent shaped and somewhat larger. [8]
Glucocorticoid deficiency can be caused by inherited genetic disorders that affect the production of cortisol in the adrenal glands, such as familial glucocorticoid deficiency (FGD). [3] FGD is a group of monogenic recessive disorders caused by disease-causing variants in genes involved in cortisol biosynthesis. [ 4 ]
Adrenal insufficiency is the clinical sign of insufficient glucocorticoid production or action, with or without concurrent insufficiency in mineralocorticoids and adrenal androgens. [21] Adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency or exogenous glucocorticoid or opioid medication suppression of adrenocorticotropic hormone can cause adrenal ...
Rapid onset of symptoms indicates acute adrenal failure, which is a clinical emergency. [5] An adrenal crisis can be triggered by stress, such as from an injury, surgery, or infection. [1] Addison's disease arises when the adrenal gland does not produce sufficient amounts of the steroid hormones cortisol and (sometimes) aldosterone. [1]
Two dexamethasone suppression tests (DSTs) are generally used, the overnight test and the 48 hour test. [8] For both tests, a plasma cortisol level above 50 nmol/L is indicative of Cushing's disease. [8] However, 3–8% of patients with Cushing's disease will test negative due to a retention of dexamethasone suppression abilities. [8]
With prolonged suppression, the adrenal glands atrophy (physically shrink), and can take months to recover full function after discontinuation of the exogenous glucocorticoid. During this recovery time, the patient is vulnerable to adrenal insufficiency during times of stress, such as illness. While suppressive dose and time for adrenal ...