Atlantic Endocrinology New York City

What you need to know about adrenal glands

The adrenal glands are small, triangular-shaped glands located on top of the kidneys. 

What you need to know about adrenal glands

The glands play an important role in regulating many of the body’s processes, including metabolism, blood pressure, and the body’s response to stress.

What Are Adrenal Glands?

The adrenal glands are small, triangular-shaped glands that sit on top of the kidneys. They are an important part of the endocrine system, which is a system of glands and hormones that regulate many of the body’s functions. 

The adrenal glands produce several hormones, including cortisol, aldosterone, and adrenaline (also called epinephrine), which have important roles in the body.

Cortisol, for example, helps to regulate the body’s metabolism, blood sugar levels, and response to stress. Aldosterone helps to regulate the body’s salt and water balance, which affects blood pressure. Adrenaline, on the other hand, helps the body respond to stress by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.

The adrenal glands are controlled by the pituitary gland in the brain, which produces a hormone called adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). ACTH stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol and other hormones. 

The adrenal glands also have an important role in the body’s fight-or-flight response, which is the body’s response to stress or danger.

What-you-need-to-know-about-adrenal-glands

Conditions That Affect The Adrenal Glands

There are several conditions that can affect the adrenal glands, including:

  1. Addison’s disease: This is a rare autoimmune disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands don’t produce enough hormones, particularly cortisol and aldosterone. Symptoms may include fatigue, weight loss, muscle weakness, and low blood pressure.
  2. Cushing’s syndrome: This is a condition in which the body produces too much cortisol. Symptoms may include weight gain, high blood pressure, and changes in the skin, such as thinning and easy bruising.
  3. Pheochromocytoma: This is a rare tumor of the adrenal glands that causes them to produce too much adrenaline and other hormones. Symptoms may include high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, and sweating.
  4. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia: This is a group of inherited disorders that affect the adrenal glands’ ability to produce hormones. Symptoms may include ambiguous genitalia in females and salt-wasting in both males and females.
  5. Adrenal insufficiency: This is a condition in which the adrenal glands don’t produce enough hormones, particularly cortisol. This can be caused by autoimmune disease, infections, or other conditions.
  6. Adrenal tumors: These are tumors that can occur in the adrenal glands. They may be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Symptoms may include high blood pressure, weight gain, and changes in the skin.

Diagnosis Of Adrenal Gland Conditions 

Diagnosis of adrenal gland conditions typically involves a combination of physical exams, medical history, blood tests, and imaging studies.

  1. Physical exam: A healthcare provider may perform a physical exam to check for signs of an adrenal gland condition, such as high blood pressure, abnormal hair growth, and changes in skin color.
  2. Medical history: A healthcare provider may ask about symptoms and medical history to help diagnose an adrenal gland condition.
  3. Blood tests: Blood tests can be used to measure hormone levels, such as cortisol and aldosterone, to help diagnose adrenal gland conditions.
  4. Imaging studies: Imaging tests, such as computed tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, can be used to visualize the adrenal glands and detect any tumors or abnormalities.
  5. Specialized tests: Additional specialized tests may be ordered to assess adrenal gland function. For example, the ACTH stimulation test measures how the adrenal glands respond to a hormone produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. The dexamethasone suppression test measures the adrenal glands’ ability to produce cortisol.

It’s important to speak with a healthcare provider if you suspect you may have an adrenal gland condition.