Secondary adrenal insufficiency starts in the pituitary-a pea-sized gland at the base of the brain. Addison's diseaseĪddison’s disease occurs when the adrenal glands are damaged and can’t make enough of the hormone cortisol and sometimes the hormone aldosterone. The adrenal glands, two small glands on top of your kidneys, make hormones that are essential for life. With treatment, most people with adrenal insufficiency can have a normal, active life. Primary adrenal insufficiency is often called Addison’s disease.Īdrenal insufficiency can affect your body’s ability to respond to stress and maintain other essential life functions.
Adrenal insufficiency can be primary, secondary, or tertiary. The adrenal glands are located just above the kidneys. What are the complications of adrenal insufficiency?Īdrenal insufficiency is a disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands don’t make enough of certain hormones.Who is more likely to develop adrenal insufficiency?.
