endocrine and metabolic disorders
Overview of Adrenal Function
Clinical syndromes
 affect output of all adrenocortical hormones. Hypofunction may be primary (malfunction of the adrenal gland itself, as in Addison Disease ) or secondary (due to lack of adrenal stimulation by the pituitary or hypothalamus). Some experts refer to hypothalamic malfunction as tertiary. Adrenal hyperfunctioncauses distinct clinical syndromes depending on the hormone involved: Hypersecretion of glucocorticoids results in Cushing Syndrome . Hypersecretion of aldosterone results in Primary Aldosteronism . Hypersecretion of androgens results in Adrenal Virilism . results in symptoms of Pheochromocytoma . These syndromes frequently have overlapping features. Hyperfunction may be compensatory, as in Overview of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia , or due to acquired hyperplasia, adenomas, or adenocarcinomas. 