Adrenal gland disorders occur when your adrenal glands make too much — or too little — hormone. Types of adrenal gland disorders include Addison’s disease and Cushing syndrome. Symptoms vary widely depending on the specific condition. Early diagnosis and treatment can help you manage these potentially life-threatening disorders.
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Adrenal gland disorders occur when your adrenal glands make too much or too little hormone. Your adrenal glands, just above each kidney, are small and triangular. They make hormones that help keep your metabolism, blood pressure, immune system and stress response in balance. These hormones are:
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
The most common adrenal gland disorders are:
There are also adrenal gland disorders that relate to growths (tumors). These include:
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Adrenal gland disorders can happen to anyone. Within the individual conditions, some (like Cushing syndrome) occur more often in people assigned female at birth (AFAB).
Adrenal gland disorder symptoms vary depending on which hormones play a role. Some symptoms are similar to those of other conditions. So, it’s important to visit a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Symptoms of high cortisone levels include:
Symptoms of high aldosterone levels include:
High levels of male sex hormones are only apparent in people AFAB or in young children assigned male at birth (AMAB) before puberty. This hormonal imbalance can cause symptoms like:
These symptoms indicate virilization — when a prepubescent child AMAB or person AFAB develops masculine traits.
Adrenal gland disorders can happen for a few different reasons, like when:
Healthcare providers don’t always know why some people get adrenal gland disorders and others don’t.
The adrenal glands and the hormones they control are important to many of your body’s functions. Untreated disorders can have serious complications. Some of them may be life-threatening.
Your healthcare provider will likely start by asking questions about your symptoms and doing a physical exam. Then they’ll order tests to determine the levels of hormones in your saliva, blood and urine.
If your provider suspects tumors, they might recommend:
Your regular healthcare provider may refer you to an endocrinologist, a specialist in hormones and diseases of the endocrine system. There are also pediatric endocrinologists who treat babies and children.
How to treat adrenal gland disorders depends on the specific condition. Some disorders require medications to increase your hormone levels. Your provider might suggest surgery or radiation therapy for conditions that involve tumors.
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Since researchers don’t know why certain adrenal gland disorders happen, there’s currently no way to prevent them from happening.
If you’re thinking about taking male hormones to build muscle mass, reconsider your strategy. It can cause adrenal gland disorders and result in damage to other glands.
Your outlook varies depending on the condition you have. But early diagnosis and treatment can get you back on track and help you manage your condition successfully. Talk to your healthcare provider about what to expect in your situation.
You should contact your healthcare provider whenever you have symptoms that concern you, with or without a diagnosis of an adrenal disorder. Some of these might include:
If you have adrenal insufficiency, you could experience an adrenal crisis. This life-threatening condition happens due to a severe lack of cortisol.
Call 911 or go to your local emergency room if you develop:
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If you have adrenal insufficiency, ask your provider for an injectable glucocorticoid that you can carry with you. An injectable glucocorticoid is an injectable medication that reduces pain and inflammation. Make sure that you know how to inject yourself, and that your family and friends also know how and when to inject you.
Other potentially life-threatening symptoms can occur with adrenal gland disorders. These include having too much potassium (hyperkalemia) or not enough sodium (hyponatremia) in your blood.
If you experience severe symptoms like the ones mentioned here, don’t wait for a regular appointment. Seek emergency care right away.
Hearing that you have an adrenal gland disorder can feel uncertain — even scary. Here are some questions you might want to ask your healthcare provider:
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A note from Cleveland Clinic
You probably don’t think about your adrenal glands much unless they stop working like they used to. When you develop new and unfamiliar symptoms, it can feel frustrating and isolating. You’re not alone. Ask your healthcare provider for additional resources or support groups that can guide you along your journey. Becoming an active part of your healthcare team can help you successfully manage your condition and improve your quality of life.
Last reviewed on 05/06/2024.
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