Adrenal Gland Disorders

The adrenal glands, located on the top of each kidney, are responsible for releasing different hormones. Adrenal gland disorders occur when the adrenal glands produce too much or too little of these hormones, or develop tumors.

Cushing's syndrome

Common symptoms of Cushing's syndrome (due to an adrenal, pituitary, or ectopic tumor) can include:

• Upper body obesity, round face and neck, and thinning arms and legs
• Skin problems, such as acne or reddish-blue streaks on the abdomen or underarm area
• High blood pressure
• Muscle and bone weakness
• Moodiness, irritability, or depression
• High blood sugars
• Slow growth rates in children

Women may also have increased growth of hair on their face and body and experience menstrual irregularities. Men may become less fertile and have a reduced or absent sex drive.

CONGENITAL ADRENAL HYPERPLASIA (CAH)

Symptoms of CAH range from mild to serious.

Mild Variant

• Shorter than average final height
• Early signs of puberty (in children)
• Acne
• Irregular menstrual periods and possible trouble getting pregnant (in women)
• Excess facial hair (in women)

Severe Variant

• Dehydration
• Low blood pressure
• Low blood sugar level
• Trouble keeping enough salt in the body
• Altered development of the external genitalia in girls, which is noted at birth and may require surgery to correct
• Shorter than average final height
• Early signs of puberty
• Irregular periods and possible trouble getting pregnant (in women)
• Excess facial hair (in women)
• Benign testicular tumors and infertility (in men)

Addison's Disease

Decrease in production of adrenal hormones: ‘Adrenal insufficiency’. Symptoms can vary, depending on what causes the disease

• Weight loss
• Weakness
• Extreme fatigue
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Low blood pressure
• Patches of darker skin
• Craving for salt
• Dizziness upon standing
• Depression

Primary Hyperaldostronism

The over-secretion of aldosterone either due to adenoma or hyperplasia of the adrenal gland.The main symptom is moderate to high blood pressure (hypertension), which can be difficult to control. Other symptoms include:

• Low potassium levels
• Muscle cramping or spasms
• Excessive urination, sometimes at night
• Headache
• Generalized weakness