What Is Adrenal Insufficiency?
Adrenal insufficiency is a disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands don’t make enough of certain hormones. The adrenal glands are located just above the kidneys. Adrenal insufficiency can be primary, secondary, or tertiary. Primary adrenal insufficiency is often called Addison’s disease.
Adrenal insufficiency can affect your body’s ability to respond to stress and maintain other essential life functions. With treatment, most people with adrenal insufficiency can have a normal, active life.
Addison's disease
Addison’s disease occurs when the adrenal glands are damaged and can’t make enough of the hormone cortisol and sometimes the hormone aldosterone.
Secondary adrenal insufficiency
Secondary adrenal insufficiency starts in the pituitary—a pea-sized gland at the base of the brain. The pituitary makes adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), a hormone that tells the adrenal glands to make cortisol. If the pituitary doesn’t make enough ACTH, the adrenal glands don’t make enough cortisol. Over time, the adrenal glands can shrink and stop working.
Tertiary adrenal insufficiency
Tertiary adrenal insufficiency starts in the hypothalamus, a small area of the brain near the pituitary. The hypothalamus makes corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), a hormone that tells the pituitary to make ACTH. When the hypothalamus doesn’t make enough CRH, the pituitary gland doesn’t make enough ACTH. In turn, the adrenal glands don’t make enough cortisol.
Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)