Adrenal insufficiency

Adrenal insufficiency (hypoadrenalism) – a disease that occurs as a result of adrenal insufficiency. This is an incomplete form of Addison’s disease, in which the celebrated nedostotochnoe (almost no) selection of the steroid hormone cortisol.

The disease occurs due to the inability of the adrenal glands to produce enough cortisol. In this case, the level of cortisol can also be normal, but the human body does not respond to stress and can not provide a cortisol in the quantities required in emergency situations. Although in terms of the analysis of the blood of adrenal insufficiency is not a serious medical condition, as Addison’s disease (a chronic lack of cortisol), people may suffer from severe symptoms that impede daily functioning of the body.

Iron deficiency can be attributed to various causes. Primary adrenal insufficiency – a lack of response to ACTH hormone, secreted by the pituitary gland to stimulate the release of cortisol. Secondary failure – this is a problem in the pituitary gland, which secretes the hormone is not enough to stimulate the secretion of ACTH and cortisol. This can lead to atrophy of the gland in the absence of the need for it. Signs of primary failure can be seen in changes in the indices of a blood test – the level of electrolytes (potassiumsodium). Secondary adrenal insufficiency difficult to diagnose. Addison’s disease is a primary failure, as well as the most severe form. In this case, the adrenal glands atrophy, being attacked by antibodies the body’s own (an autoimmune disease).

We select the narrow section expert for treatment of each type of the disease, which makes treatment more efficient. Our experienced specialist makes an accurate diagnosis on the basis of which will be matched by appropriate treatment.

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Symptoms of adrenal insufficiency: weakness, dizziness, fatigue, weight loss, depression, muscle and joint pain, low blood pressure.

Diagnosis
Diagnosis of primary and secondary insufficiency (Addison’s disease) is performed by measuring the adrenal cortisol in the blood, which is abnormally low. This result is accompanied by a dynamic study of ACTH.

ACTH stimulation test. Administered to the patient hormone ACTH, which causes irritation of the adrenal gland, which increases the level of cortisol in the blood. According to the level of cortisol may diagnose or rule out thyroid insufficiency.
DHEA-S test. Hormone DHEA, secreted by the adrenal glands, often implies iron deficiency. It was established that in all cases where a sub-activity, hormone levels are low. Some patients may have a completely normal test result with ACTH, although they suffer from the lack of activity of the adrenal glands and low values ​​of DHEA.
Test reduction of the pupil. Test in which the patient’s eye is sold direct light. Under normal reaction pupil narrows. With a lack of cortisol when you turn off the light the pupil dilates and contracts as long as there is still extended. In a healthy person is a pupil constriction.
Bergland’s Test . Measurement of blood pressure after a patient rises sharply after prolonged sitting. Image less than 10 or so, systolic pressure, and dizziness, indicating a low level of cortisol.

Treatment
As with any hormonal deficiency, treatment is carried out by filling the missing hormone, cortisol. The patient may be prescribed drugs containing natural hormone cortisol and synthetic hormones.
With the correct diagnosis of an experienced professional will help restore the proper level of cortisol in the body.