The hormones are given in the form of medications. Adrenal insufficiency can be treated by giving the patient hormonal therapy. An MRI scan of the pituitary gland is also recommended in some cases as this gland also plays a secondary role in adrenal insufficiency. A CT scan of the adrenal gland can also detect structural abnormalities in it. These symptoms are a result of hormonal deficiency caused by adrenal insufficiency and if not taken seriously, they can affect the patient seriously.ĭiagnosis and Treatment: Adrenal insufficiency can be diagnosed with the help of adrenocorticotropic hormone ( ACTH) stimulation test, which examines the functioning of the adrenal gland.

The symptoms of adrenal insufficiency manifest in the form of dehydration, weight loss, weakness, low blood pressure, muscle pain, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) vomiting, diarrhea, craving for salt or salty food, change in mood, kidney failure, and shock. The third is adrenal destruction in which the gland gets damaged because of some disease.The second is impaired steroidogenesis in which the gland is not able to produce cortisol due to biochemical inefficiency.The first is adrenal dysgenesis in which the gland has not formed properly in the patient.In some cases, Addison's disease and congenital adrenal hyperplasia also surface in the form of adrenal insufficiency.Īdrenal insufficiency can be categorized into three sections based on the ways through which they affect the adrenal gland and cause the low production of cortisol and other steroid hormones. Sudden withdrawal of long-term corticosteroid therapy, adrenoleukodystrophy, stress in people who already suffer from chronic adrenal insufficiency, craniopharyngioma, and Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome are responsible for adrenal insufficiency. So, when these hormones are not produced in adequate amount, the individual experiences specific problems and thus, treatment for adrenal insufficiency becomes necessary.Ĭauses: Adrenal insufficiency can be caused by many reasons.

These steroid hormones play an important role in bodily functions such as metabolism, immunity development, salt/water balance, sexual development and others. At times, dysfunction of the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland can also cause adrenal insufficiency because the hormones produced by these two glands help in regulating the functions performed by hormones secreted by the adrenal gland. It mostly affects the production of cortisol but in some cases, the production of aldosterone may also be reduced.

Adrenal insufficiency is a condition in which the adrenal glands of the patient do not produce sufficient amount of steroid hormones.

Adrenal gland malfunction symptoms