Overview
Your adrenal glands sit on top of your kidneys. They make hormones that affect almost every organ in your body.
Secondary adrenal insufficiency means that your adrenal glands don't make enough of a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol helps maintain blood pressure. It helps break down sugar and fat for energy. It also helps manage stress.
The problem starts with the pituitary gland. It's located at the base of your brain. Normally it sends a signal to the adrenal glands to make more cortisol. The signal is a hormone that the pituitary gland makes, called ACTH. When the pituitary gland doesn't make enough ACTH, the adrenal glands won't make enough cortisol.
This can happen if the pituitary gland is damaged by things like a tumour or surgery.
Treatment involves replacing the hormones that your body needs. You might get some of these hormones in the hospital. Some people will take hormones at home for the rest of their lives. Hormones may be pills or injections (shots).
If possible, your doctor will treat the condition that damaged the pituitary gland.
Some people may need urgent care because they have what is called an adrenal crisis. It can be caused by severe infection or stress. Symptoms may include:
- Severe nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- Abdominal (belly) pain.
- Losing too much fluid or not taking in enough fluid (called dehydration).
- Confusion.
- Low blood pressure and fainting.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
Enter F406 in the search box to learn more about "Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency: Care Instructions".