Adrenal disorders can be categorized into three types: overproduction, underproduction, and overall function disorders. Adrenal glands produce various hormones, and alterations can cause serious health problems. Symptoms and treatments vary depending on the type of disorder, and diagnosis requires tests and medical imaging.
There are numerous types of adrenal disorders that can be roughly divided into three categories: disorders that lead to overproduction of hormones, disorders associated with underproduction of hormones, and disorders that affect overall adrenal function. These conditions have a variety of causes and treatment approaches that usually require the attention of an endocrinologist, a doctor who specializes in hormonal disorders and imbalances.
The adrenal glands are roughly star-shaped glands located above the kidneys. Two areas of these glands, known as the cortex and medulla, produce hormones. These glands produce hormones such as adrenaline, norepinephrine and corticosteroids. Hormone level alterations can lead to systemic health problems and serious malfunctions can cause the patient’s death. Because the adrenal glands produce a variety of hormones used for different functions in the body, they are prone to a variety of ailments.
Adrenal disorders characterized by underproduction, also known as adrenal insufficiency, include Addison’s disease and adrenal hyperplasia. Addison’s disease is characterized by a lack of corticosteroid production and is also known as hypocortisolism. Adrenal hyperplasia involves a deficiency of the hormone cortisol and can also lead to aldosterone deficiencies and an overproduction of androgens.
Too many hormones are produced in adrenal tumors, Cushing’s disease, Conn’s disease and pheochromacytoma. Cushing’s disease causes the adrenal glands to produce too much cortisol, while Conn’s disease involves overproduction of aldosterone. Pheochromacytomas, rare growths in the adrenal glands, stimulate the production of excessive adrenaline. Tumors can cause an overproduction of various adrenal hormones, depending on where they are located.
Some other disorders can interfere with the function of the adrenal gland, leading to adrenal disorders. Adrenoleukodystrophy, an inherited condition, damages these glands over time, impairing their function. Pituitary tumors can also cause adrenal disorders by interfering with the production of hormones that regulate the activity of the adrenal glands. In these cases, adrenal dysfunction is a secondary complication rather than the main issue of concern, but it can become very serious.
The symptoms of adrenal gland disorders are quite varied, depending on the nature of the disorder. Physical changes such as weight gain and unusual hair growth can occur in adrenal disorders, along with fatigue, stress, and a general sense of unwellness. A doctor can diagnose an adrenal gland disorder with the assistance of tests to determine hormone levels in the body and medical imaging to examine the adrenal glands for signs of obvious physical abnormalities. Treatments may include surgery, hormone replacement, or medications.
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