Adrenal gland disorder problem and solutions

How common are adrenal gland disorders?
Adrenal gland disorders can happen to anyone. Within the individual conditions, some (like Cushing syndrome) occur more often in people assigned female at birth (AFAB).

Adrenal gland disorders occur when your adrenal glands make too much — or too little — hormone. Types of adrenal gland disorders include Addison’s disease and Cushing syndrome. Symptoms vary widely depending on the specific condition. Early diagnosis and treatment can help you manage these potentially life-threatening disorders. Your adrenal glands, just above each kidney, are small and triangular. They make hormones that help keep your metabolism, blood pressure, immune system and stress response in balance. These hormones are:

- Cortisol.
- Adrenaline.
- Aldosterone.

Types of adrenal gland disorders
The most common adrenal gland disorders are:

• Addison’s disease (adrenal insufficiency). People with this condition don’t produce enough cortisol and/or aldosterone.
• Adrenal gland suppression. This is a type of adrenal insufficiency that relates to outside sources of cortisol. It often affects people who take synthetic hormones like prednisone or dexamethasone.
• Cushing syndrome. People with this condition have high levels of cortisol in their bodies.
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). People with CAH lack enzymes that the adrenal glands need to make enough hormones.
• Hyperaldosteronism. If you have this condition, your body produces too much aldosterone.
• Virilization. This condition happens when your body produces too much of the male sex hormones and is only apparent in females or boys before puberty.

There are also adrenal gland disorders that relate to growths (tumors). These include:

1. Adrenal gland tumors. Tumors can disrupt hormone output but are usually benign (noncancerous). An adrenal adenoma is the most common adrenal gland tumor.
2. Adrenocortical carcinoma. This rare adrenal gland disorder happens when cancer forms in your adrenal gland’s outer layer.
3. Pheochromocytoma. If you have this condition, your glands make too much epinephrine and norepinephrine which can raise your blood pressure or make your heart race.
4. Pituitary adenomas. Benign tumors on your pituitary gland can cause adrenal gland disorders because they can affect hormone production in your adrenal glands.

What are the symptoms of adrenal gland disorders?

Adrenal gland disorder symptoms vary depending on which hormones play a role. Some symptoms are similar to those of other conditions. So, it’s important to visit a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Symptoms of high cortisone levels include:

• Upper body obesity, while arms and legs stay thinner.
• Fatigue.
• High blood pressure.
• Diabetes.
• Skin that bruises easily.
• Wide discolored streaks on abdominal skin.
• Confusion.

Symptoms of high aldosterone levels include:

• High blood pressure.
• Low potassium (hypokalemia).
• Weakness.
• Muscle spasms.
• Muscle pain.

High levels of male sex hormones are only apparent in people AFAB or in young children assigned male at birth (AMAB) before puberty. This hormonal imbalance can cause symptoms like:

• Facial hair.
• Balding.
• Acne.
• Having a deeper voice.
• Becoming more muscular.
• Developing a greater sex drive.

These symptoms indicate virilization — when a prepubescent child AMAB or person AFAB develops masculine traits.

What causes adrenal gland disorders?
Adrenal gland disorders can happen for a few different reasons, like when:

• Your adrenal glands make too much — or too little — hormone.
• You have a condition affecting another gland, like your pituitary gland.
• Outside sources — like medications or chemicals in your environment — raise or lower your hormone levels.
• You have a genetic mutation (change in your DNA) that raises or lowers your hormone levels.

Can adrenal gland disorders be prevented?

Since researchers don’t know why certain adrenal gland disorders happen, there’s currently no way to prevent them from happening.

How can I lower my risk?

If you’re thinking about taking male hormones to build muscle mass, reconsider your strategy. It can cause adrenal gland disorders and result in damage to other glands.