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:

1. Nicolaides NC et al. Glucocorticoid Therapy and Adrenal Suppression. In: Feingold KR et al. editors. Endotext [Internet]. [Updated October 2018]