Specialist in Adrenal Gland Disorders
Endocrinologist and Adrenal Gland Disorder
located in Peachtree City, GA
Adrenal Gland Disorders
Adrenal gland disorders happen when your adrenal glands produce too much or too little of adrenal hormones. Sometimes nodules can form on adrenal glands. At Peach State Endocrinology in Peachtree City, GA, Evgenia Korytnaya, MD (Dr. K), specializes in Adrenal Gland disorders like Addison’s Disease, Adrenal Tumors, and Hyperaldosteronism. Schedule online or call to schedule an appointment with Dr. K today.
Learn more about Adrenal Gland Hormones at Endocrine Society.
Addison's Disease
What is it:
Addison’s Disease, also known as adrenal insufficiency (Primary Adrenal Insufficiency), occurs when the adrenal glands don’t produce sufficient amounts of hormones like cortisol and aldosterone. This can result in an imbalance in the body’s electrolytes and lead to various health issues.
Symptoms:
- Fatigue and weakness
- Weight loss
- Low blood pressure
- Darkening of the skin
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness
- Salt craving
- Low blood sugar
What causes it?
The primary cause of Addison’s Disease is autoimmune, where the body’s immune system attacks the adrenal glands. Other causes of primary adrenal insufficiency may include infections, such as tuberculosis, or damage to the glands due to medications or surgery.
Diagnosis and Treatment:
Diagnosis involves blood tests to measure hormone levels and sometimes may involve imaging scans to evaluate the adrenal glands. Treatment typically includes hormone replacement therapy to balance cortisol and aldosterone levels.
A more common type of Adrenal Insufficiency is Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency which happens when the pituitary gland, a small gland at the base of the brain does not make enough hormone ACTH and as a result adrenal glands decrease cortisol production. Unlike patients with Addison’s disease, patients with Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency do not develop darkening of the skin, salt craving, high potassium levels.
Learn more about Adrenal Insufficiency at Endocrine Society.
Adrenal Tumors
What is it:
Adrenal tumors are abnormal growths in the adrenal glands. These tumors can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Some of adrenal tumors can lead to hormonal imbalances and affect overall health.
Most benign adrenal tumors cause no symptoms and don’t need treatment. But sometimes these tumors secrete high levels of certain hormones that can cause complications.
The most common hormones that can be over-secreted are aldosterone and cortisol from the cortex and adrenalin hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) from the medulla.
Symptoms and signs depend on the type of hormone the tumor produces and may include:
- High blood pressure
- Rapid heart rate (palpitations)
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- Episodes of sweating, pallor and headaches
- Unexplained weight changes
- High blood sugar
- Frail bones (0steopenia or osteoporosis)
- Changes in blood electrolyte levels
What causes it?
The exact causes of adrenal tumors are not always clear. Some tumors may be linked to genetic factors, while others may develop without a known cause.
Diagnosis and Treatment:
Diagnosis involves imaging tests like CT scans or MRIs to identify the size and nature of the tumor. Hormonal workup is always performed. Treatment depends on the type of tumor; Some of the clearly benign tumors that don’t produce excess hormones may not require any treatment or follow up. Other benign adrenal tumors may require treatment and monitoring, especially if they are producing too much hormones, in which case surgery or medications maybe offered. Malignant tumors necessitate surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. Patients with adrenal cancer should be referred to Tertiary Centers specializing in management of Adrenal Cancers, such as Rogel Cancer Center.
Learn more about incidentally discovered Adrenal Tumor (Adrenal Incidentaloma) at Endocrine Society.
Primary Aldosteronism or Hyperaldosteronism
What is it:
Hyperaldosteronism, also known as Primary Aldosteronism or Conn’s syndrome, occurs when the adrenal glands produce too much aldosterone hormone, leading to high blood pressure and an imbalance of electrolytes in the body.
Symptoms:
- High blood pressure
- Muscle weakness
- Frequent urination
- Low potassium levels
- Headaches
- Fatigue
What causes it?
Primary aldosteronism is caused by adrenal gland tumors.
Diagnosis and Treatment:
Diagnosis involves blood tests to measure electrolytes, aldosterone and renin levels. Confirmatory testing maybe required. Imaging is often done to evaluate for adrenal gland tumors. Treatment may include medication to control blood pressure and correct electrolyte imbalances, or surgery to remove the affected adrenal gland. An invasive test called adrenal venous sampling is often required before surgery is done.
Learn more about Primary Aldosteronism, how it is diagnosed and treated at Primary Aldosteronism Foundation.
