hormonal and metabolic disorders
Adrenal Insufficiency
Introduction
In adrenal insufficiency, the adrenal glands do not produce enough adrenal hormones. Adrenal insufficiency may be caused by a disorder of the adrenal glands, a disorder of the pituitary gland, or by certain drugs. Adrenal insufficiency may be caused by an autoimmune reaction, cancer, an infection, or some other disease. A person with adrenal insufficiency feels weak, tired, and dizzy when standing up after sitting or lying down, and may develop dark skin patches. Doctors measure sodium and potassium in the blood and measurecortisoland adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels to make the diagnosis. People are given corticosteroids and fluids. (See also Overview of the Adrenal Glands .) Adrenal insufficiency may be: Primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease) (Addison disease, a disorder of the adrenal glands themselves) Secondary adrenal insufficiency (a disorder affecting the pituitary gland, which controls the adrenal glands) In both types of adrenal insufficiency, the adrenal glands produce an inadequate amount of one or more adrenal hormones. 