Hypofunction Adrenal Gland Disorders

According to wrongdiagnosis.com, adrenal hypofunction is a condition in which the adrenal gland is not able to function well enough to produce the amount of corticosteroid hormones which the body needs. Its causes are numerous, though it's divided into two types: primary and secondary hypofunction. They are distinguished from each other in that the gland itself is damaged in primary hypofunction, and the gland is healthy but lacks hormonal stimulation in secondary hypofunction.

Facts

• Adrenal gland hypofunction occurs when the adrenal gland's activity is reduced. This may be due to damage done to the adrenal gland (called primary adrenal hypofunction), or because of a lack of hormonal stimulation (secondary hypofunction). Primary hypofunction occurs when the adrenal gland is physically damaged, secondary occurs due to a lack of hormonal stimulation usually caused when by hypopituitarism (a decreased secretion of one or more of the eight hormones secreted by the pituitary gland).

Primary Adrenal Hypofunction

• Primary adrenal hypofunction is often caused by Addison's disease (which occurs when 90% of the adrenal gland is destroyed). Addison's disease is most often a result of autoimmune adrenalitis (in which the autoimmune system actively destroys the adrenal gland). The adrenal gland can also be damaged by tuberculosis, a hemorrhage into the adrenal gland, neoplasms or infections. A bilateral adrenalectomy (where both adrenal glands are removed), may also cause adrenal hypofunction.

Secondary Adrenal Hypofunction

• Secondary adrenal hypofunction occurs when the adrenal gland is not being properly stimulated by hormones sent from other glands which would normally prompt its function. This often happens when the pituitary gland is not secreting the proper amount of hormone to stimulate the adrenal gland. Typically, it's the pituitary gland that lacks function, not the adrenal gland itself. Though secondary adrenal gland hypofunction can also be caused by the removal of a corticotropin-secreting tumor or the abrupt cessation of long-term corticosteroid therapy.

Symptoms

• Typical symptoms of adrenal gland hypofunction include; weakness, dizziness, fatigue, weight loss, abdominal discomfort increased skin pigmentation, depression, joint and muscle pain, dehydration, gastrointestinal disturbances, anxiety, reduced tolerance to physical and emotional stress, reduced blood sodium, reduced blood glucose, high blood potassium, tremors, reduced blood pressure and fainting. These symptoms in conjunction with recently diagnosed medical conditions such as tuberculosis, a recent bilateral adrenalectomy, recent hemorrhage into the adrenal gland, neoplasms, or recent infection may indicate adrenal gland hypofunction.

Treatment

• Adrenal gland hypofunction is a serious disorder, and treatment is a lifelong commitment. A patient with this diagnosis is often treated with corticosteroid replacement as their primary treatment (this is usually done with cortisone or hydrocortisone). Other treatments include desoxycorticosterone (which is a mineralocorticoid, given via IV) and fludrocortisones (which is taken orally, and is a synthetic mineralocorticoid), which are given to prevent dehydration and hypotension.