Hypoadrenalism (chronic)
Chronic hypoadrenalism can be:
- primary - inability of adrenal gland to elaborate sufficient adrenal steroid hormones (Addison's disease)
- secondary - the basic failure is in the elaboration of ACTH
If treated, a normal life span can be expected.
Iatrogenic, tertiary adrenal insufficiency induced by chronic administration of high doses of glucocorticoids (GCs) is the most common cause of adrenal insufficiency (1)
Reference:
- Nicolaides NC et al. Glucocorticoid Therapy and Adrenal Suppression. In: Feingold KR et al. editors. Endotext [Internet]. [Updated October 2018]
Related pages
Create an account to add page annotations
Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.