This occurs when the adrenal glands are damaged or have a genetic problem and do not allow enough stress hormones to be produced.

One is when the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones and another where the pituitary or hypothalamus gland in the brain doesn't have enough signal hormones to send to the adrenal glands. There are three different types of adrenal insufficiency. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of your brain may also be ordered to see your pituitary gland, which sends signals to your adrenal glands. You may also receive an injection of a hormone stimulator to see how you respond. To determine if you have adrenal insufficiency, your doctor will do blood tests to check your hormone levels. Symptoms of adrenal insufficiency can include: When there are not enough of these hormones, it creates complications in the body. These hormones are referred to as stress hormones, and they help to regulate the body to deal with all different types of stressors.

It is a disorder where the adrenal glands don't produce enough hormones in stressful situations, such as adrenaline, cortisol, and aldosterone. What is adrenal insufficiency?Īdrenal insufficiency is caused by the body's adrenal glands not making enough hormones. These hormones are needed for essential functions, and without them can lead to fatigue, muscle weakness, weight loss, lack of appetite, and belly pain. When the adrenal glands aren't producing enough hormones, it leads to adrenal insufficiency. This is a hormone that helps keep sodium and potassium in the body balanced, and it uses these electrolytes to balance fluid levels. It controls your blood pressure and immune system and puts sugar in the blood for energy. This is a hormone that helps you deal with stress. Think 'fight or flight.' This hormone helps increase your heart rate and senses. This is a hormone specifically created when you are stressed. These hormones help the body manage stress, control blood pressure, and balance salt levels. The primary hormones they create are cortisol, aldosterone, and adrenaline. Both are located on top of each kidney and help make different hormones in the body. An adrenal crisis can occur during extreme stress, illness, or injury and requires medical treatment at a hospital with injectable steroids if signs or symptoms appear, seek help immediately.

Low adrenal gland hormones