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Page: Pathophysiology
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Primary adrenal insufficiency
Also known as: primary Addison's disease
Primary Addison's disease is caused by damaged adrenal glands where the damage causes the insufficient production of the above-mentioned hormones. Most often the damage is caused by autoimmune disease, where the body creates antibodies that attack the glands (as if it were a disease) in the same way the immune system fights infection. Hence, it is not surprising that this form of adrenal gland damage is associated with other autoimmune diseases such as hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's thyroiditis), rheumatoid arthritis, type I diabetes, etc. Other causes of failure of the adrenal glands may include the following:
* Tuberculosis
* Infections of the adrenal glands
* Spread of cancer to the adrenal glands
* Bleeding into the adrenal glands (seen in patients using anticoagulants such as heparin or warfarin (Coumadin)
Secondary adrenal insufficiency
Also known as: secondary Addison's disease
Often caused by a diseased pituitary gland or when a person on corticosteroid medications for chronic conditions (e.g. arthritis, asthma) abruptly cease taking the medicines. Secondary Addison's disease is characterized by inadequate production of the pituitary hormone called adrenocorticotropic hormone, ACTH. ACTH triggers production of adrenal hormones and a shortage of ACTH can cause a shortage of the adrenal hormones, even though the adrenal glands themselves are not damaged.
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Important notice:
The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other
qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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