confusion or reduced levels of alertness.

It can happen suddenly and can be life threatening. However, when damage affects 90% of the adrenal cortex, the body will no longer be able to produce aldosterone or cortisol, and symptoms will start to appear.Īs symptoms progress, a crisis may develop, which health experts call an Addisonian or acute adrenal crisis. Symptoms usually appear after a person stops using the drugs, especially if they do so abruptly.Ĭhanges in hormone levels usually happen over time, and a person may not notice any difference. This leads to a reduction in a type of steroid known as glucocorticoid. Secondary adrenal deficiency can also develop when a person uses steroid drugs that affect the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland and prevent the body from producing ACTH.

genetic conditions that affect the pituitary gland.

Other causes of secondary adrenal insufficiency include: Consequently, the adrenal glands will also produce lower levels of hormones. Issues with the pituitary glands can cause them to produce less ACTH. The pituitary gland produces adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which stimulates the adrenal glands to produce other hormones. Indirectly, issues with the pituitary gland can cause Addison’s disease.

the use of drugs that prevent the production of cortisol, including ketoconazole and etomidate.

conditions a person has from birth, such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

conditions such as hemochromatosis, cancer, and amyloidosis.bleeding in the adrenal glands due to trauma, blood clotting, or other factors.infections such as TB, cytomegalovirus, and HIV.This is the outer layer of the adrenal glands. This condition results from direct injury to the adrenal cortex. Types: Primary and secondary adrenal insufficiencyĪ person may have primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency.

The adrenal gland is to the kidney