Adrenal insufficiency

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Usama Talib, BSc, MD [2]

Overview

Adrenal insufficiency is the inability of the adrenal glands to produce sufficient amount of hormones required for normal functioning of the human body. If the primary defect is in the adrenal gland itself, it is known as primary adrenal insufficiency or Addison's disease. If the primary defect is not in the adrenal glands but is resulting in a secondary impact leading to a decrease functioning of the adrenals, it is known as secondary adrenal insufficiency.

Classification

Adrenal insufficiency can be classified into the following categories depending on the location of the defect:

• Addison's disease or primary adrenal insufficiency
• Secondary adrenal insufficiency