A condition in which the adrenal gland is compromised in its production of epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, corticosterone or aldosterone. Symptoms include primarily fatigue, weakness, decreased appetite with ensuing weight loss, as well as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, or increased pigmentation of the skin. Cortical insufficiency (low or no corticosteroids) produces a more serious condition called Addison’s Disease, characterized by extreme weakness, low blood pressure, pigmentation of the skin, shock or even death. Also: Adrenal Exhaustion, Low Adrenal Function

	ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic Hormone) As A Treatment "...The action of ACTH depends upon normally functioning adrenal glands and ACTH is therefore useless in disorders caused by adrenal insufficiency, for example as replacement therapy where both adrenal glands have been removed..." Addison's Disease The Condition "...Secondary adrenal insufficiency, caused by a lack of ACTH, results in a deficiency of cortisol, but usually not aldosterone..." Anemia (Iron deficiency) Relationship to Low Adrenal Function / Adrenal Insufficiency "If anemia is identified as a problem then the likelihood of low adrenal function is reduced..." Anxiety Relationship to Low Adrenal Function / Adrenal Insufficiency "Adrenal insufficiency can lead to a host of problems, including a weakened immune response, anxiety and panic attacks..." Recommendation Caffeine/Coffee Avoidance "Caffeine can cause adrenal insufficiency which in turn can lead to anxiety..." Chronic Thyroiditis The Condition "...When Hashimoto's disease occurs with adrenal insufficiency and type 1 diabetes mellitus, the condition is called type 2 polyglandular autoimmune syndrome (PGA II)..." Elevated Cortisol Levels The Condition "...This is called "adrenal exhaustion" and is associated with many other health problems..." Erectile Dysfunction (ED, Impotence) The Condition "...factors include ... Systemic diseases (diabetes mellitus, syphilis, alcoholism - abstain for 30 days to see if there is improvement, drug dependency, hypopituitarism, and hypothyroidism, and adrenal insufficiency)..." Fibrocystic Breast Disease The Condition "...He also mentions adrenal exhaustion as another factor that can contribute to FBD..." HIV/AIDS Our Question about having constant fatigue "...The fatigue may be due to anemia, depression, the HIV virus, secondary infections, hormone deficiency (testosterone, adrenal exhaustion), malnutrition, poor sleep quality or quantity, inactivity, or drug side-effects..." Relationship to Low Adrenal Function / Adrenal Insufficiency "Adrenal insufficiency is considerably less common than hypogonadism in people with HIV, but its incidence increases in advanced cases..." Hypoglycemia The Condition "...Causes & Development The causes of functional or reactive hypoglycemia (not absolute or fasting hypoglycemia) can be divided into 3 categories ... Hypoadrenalism-stress leading to adrenal exhaustion..." Hypopituitarism The Condition "...Risk factors are related to the cause and may include previous history of diabetes insipidus, previous history of adrenal insufficiency, previous history of a pituitary tumor, cessation of menses in a premenopausal woman, and short stature..." Licorice Root As A Treatment "...Glycyrrizin has a similar structure to adrenal steroids and has been used successfully in treating adrenal insufficiency, fatigue, various skin problems, as well as female hormonal regulation..." Low Adrenal Function / Adrenal Insufficiency The Condition "...An individual with adrenal exhaustion will usually suffer from chronic fatigue, may complain of feeling stressed-out or anxious, and will typically have a reduced resistance to allergies and infection..." Our Question about sexual abuse during childhood "...This elevated stress response can lead to adrenal exhaustion..." Relationship to Weakened Immune System "Adrenal insufficiency can lead to a host of problems, including a weakened immune response, anxiety and panic attacks..." Recommendation Hydrocortisone "Physiologic replacement doses of oral cortisol can make a dramatic difference in cases of adrenal exhaustion..." Panic Attacks Recommendation Caffeine/Coffee Avoidance "Coffee can cause adrenal insufficiency which in turn can lead to panic attacks..." Progesterone Low or Estrogen Dominance Relationship to Low Adrenal Function / Adrenal Insufficiency "...Adrenal exhaustion can therefore cause hormone deficiencies..."

Last updated: Oct 08, 2008