Adrenal Insufficiency Prophylaxis and Treatment

Adrenal insufficiency is a condition in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones. This condition is treatable; people with adrenal insufficiency can also take prophylactic (preventative) steps to help avoid medical emergency.

Considerations

• Before treating for adrenal insufficiency, a doctor must consider if the insufficiency is the primary condition (primary adrenal insufficiency is called Addison's disease) or if it is a secondary condition, meaning the insufficiency is caused by another problem. The National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service (NEMDIS) reports that secondary adrenal insufficiency is more common than Addison's disease.

Types

• Hormone replacement therapy is used to treat adrenal insufficiency. The hormone cortisol is replaced using hydrocortisone, prednisone or cortisone acetate, while fludrocortisone replaces aldosterone; some women may also take dehydroepiandrosterone, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Features

• Those who have secondary adrenal insufficiency might not require aldosterone replacement therapy, according to NEMDIS.

Warning

• An emergency called Addisonian crisis may cause low blood pressure and blood glucose (sugar) and high potassium. The Mayo Clinic reports that treatment includes intravenous hydrocortisone, saline (salt) solution and dextrose (sugar).

Prevention/Solution

• People with adrenal insufficiency should carry a card or medical alert tag with the dose of cortisol they should be given in the event of an emergency, and those who are traveling should carry a dose of cortisol with them, according to NEMDIS.