Knowra Adrenal insufficiency Adrenal insufficiency Adrenal insufficiency is inadequate corticosteroid activity caused by impaired adrenal steroid production or insufficient pituitary or hypothalamic stimulation. It can disrupt cortisol regulation and, in primary disease, aldosterone balance.
Cortisol : A glucocorticoid hormone that helps regulate metabolism, blood pressure, immune responses, and the body's stress response. Its deficiency is central to adrenal insufficiency across primary and central forms.
Addison's disease : Primary adrenal insufficiency caused by destruction or dysfunction of the adrenal cortex. It is the best-known form and can impair both cortisol and aldosterone production.
Cosyntropin stimulation test : A diagnostic test that measures cortisol response after administration of synthetic adrenocorticotropic hormone. A poor cortisol response supports adrenal insufficiency, though interpretation depends on its cause and timing.
Cushing syndrome : A disorder caused by prolonged exposure to excessive glucocorticoid activity. It contrasts with adrenal insufficiency through excess rather than inadequate cortisol activity.
Aldosterone : A mineralocorticoid hormone that helps the kidneys retain sodium and excrete potassium. Its production often falls in primary adrenal insufficiency but is usually preserved in central forms.
Secondary adrenal insufficiency : Cortisol deficiency caused by inadequate adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion from the pituitary gland. It illustrates central failure, typically without loss of aldosterone secretion.
Morning cortisol test : A blood test measuring cortisol, commonly collected early in the morning when levels are normally near their daily peak. A low result can prompt further testing for suspected cortisol deficiency.
Primary hyperaldosteronism : Excess aldosterone production by the adrenal glands, usually causing hypertension and low potassium. It contrasts with primary adrenal failure, which can reduce aldosterone and raise potassium.
Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis : The signaling system linking the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands to regulate cortisol secretion. Disruption at any point in this axis can reduce cortisol activity.
Tertiary adrenal insufficiency : Cortisol deficiency caused by inadequate hypothalamic signaling, often after prolonged glucocorticoid exposure. It is a central form in which reduced corticotropin-releasing hormone suppresses pituitary and adrenal activity.
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