Question 1

is adrenal insufficiency hereditary?

Accepted Answer

It can be.: One cause of adrenal insufficiency, addison's disease, is an auto-immune disorder.  The immune system mistakenly makes antibodies targeting one or more proteins in the adrenal cortex, and winds up destroying the adrenal cortex, so that the adrenals can no longer make cortisol, or other hormones.  As is true for most auto-immune disorders, a tendency to develop addison's can run in families.

Question 2

what is acute adrenal insufficiency?

Accepted Answer

Low cortisol : It generally means acute (recent) drop in adrenal gland hormonal production namely cortisol, a very important and life sustaining steroid. There are many reason why some one can develop ai. Autoimmune, 
infection, acute illness and trauma are a few examples. Need to discuss with an 
endocrinologist if there is need for hormonal replacement.

Question 3

how is adrenal insufficiency diagnosed?

Accepted Answer

Stimulation Test: Cortisol levels vary widely between individuals, and by time of day and are affected by illness.  So random levels may not be helpful.  A stimulation test with an injection of Cortrosyn to make the adrenals release cortisol is used.  Blood is drawn just before, and 30 and 60 minutes after the Cortrosyn injection.  Stimulated levels above 18-20 usually indicate normal adrenal function.

Question 4

what are symptoms of adrenal insufficiency?

Accepted Answer

Many: Fatigue, muscle weakness, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure.

Question 5

what are the tests for adrenal insufficiency?

Accepted Answer

Primary vs secondary: The fault may lie in the pituitary which may produce too little acth.  The adrenal responds normally to acth stimulation.  If the gland is defective, there is impaired response to acth.  In both there are low levels of corticosteroids in blood and urine, and similar electrolyte disturbances, e.G, high potassium.

Question 6

what sort of problem is adrenal insufficiency?

Accepted Answer

No stress hormones: Can be due to autoimmune problems, infections, e.g. Tb, hiv, other, etc.  Decreased production of stress hormones, can lead to fatigue, weight loss, nausea, blood pressure drops, menstrual changes, excess skin pigmentation and other symptoms.  Can be a real problem if untreated and faced with acute stress like surgery or infection.

Question 7

if you have adrenal insufficiency what foods should you avoid?

Accepted Answer

None: If you have adrenal insufficiency you shouldl be taking glucocorticoids and often florinef (fludrocortisone).  Food does not interfere much with these medications, so you can take a free, balanced, healthy diet.

Question 8

what are the manifestations of someone with adrenal insufficiency?

Accepted Answer

Symptoms : May include: weakness, bronzing of skin, abdominal pain, vomiting, fatigue, weight loss, dizziness.

Question 9

i'm not quite sure i understand adrenal insufficiency- what is it exactly?

Accepted Answer

Adrenal insufficienc: Adrenal glands are very iimportant endocrine glands in the body. They are located on top of the kidneys one on each kidney. The adrenal gland secrete many different hormones infact it has 3 layers and each layer produces a different hormone.
Adrenal insufficiency in general refers to the deficiency of the cortisol hormone that is produced by the middle layer of the adrenal gland .
I.

Question 10

can adrenal insufficiency contribute to osteoporosis?

Accepted Answer

The opposite: Long-term treatment with steroid or glucocorticoid-type of meds (eg, taking Prednisone for asthma, cancer, severe allergies, etc.) can cause osteoporosis or even interfere with normal pituitary function, which is the most common cause of secondary adrenal insufficiency.

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Adrenal insufficiency caffeine

A member asked:

Is adrenal insufficiency hereditary?

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What is acute adrenal insufficiency?

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How is adrenal insufficiency diagnosed?

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What are symptoms of adrenal insufficiency?

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What are the tests for adrenal insufficiency?

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What sort of problem is adrenal insufficiency?

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If you have adrenal insufficiency what foods should you avoid?

A member asked:

What are the manifestations of someone with adrenal insufficiency?

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I'm not quite sure i understand adrenal insufficiency- what is it exactly?

A member asked:

Can adrenal insufficiency contribute to osteoporosis?

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