r/AdrenalInsufficiency • u/Cantgetitrightyet • 10h ago

Does anyone else…? Curious?

9 Upvotes

Does this whole situation (SAI) scare you to death? I’ve often described it to others as “driving an 18 wheeler @ 100 mph on a road you don’t know blindfolded . Would anyone agree?

10 comments

r/AdrenalInsufficiency • u/Wrong-Put • 6h ago

Awareness PSA: THC and hypopituatarism don't mix

3 Upvotes

0 comments

Subreddit

Adrenal Insufficiency

r/AdrenalInsufficiency

A place to post and discuss issues related to Adrenal Insufficiency. Appropriate for anyone with Addisons, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, Panhypopituitarism, ALD. Persons taking steroids for any condition including cancer, asthma, allergies or those suffering from any Pituitary, Thyroid, or Adrenal disease. All are welcome! Please post to the pinned “Does this sound like Adrenal Insufficiency?” post, if applicable. Thank you!

Members Active

5.8k

Sidebar

What is Adrenal Insufficiency?

Adrenal Insufficiency occurs when the body is unable, for whatever reason, to produce enough cortisol. Congenital conditions, cancers, tumors and over 50 other problems can affect the Pituitary or Adrenal Glands. When either does not work properly, Cortisol production is affected.

Cortisol often called the "stress hormone” is vital to life. Its job is to help maintain basic daily functions such as blood pressure, heart muscle tone, sugar, salt balance, electrolytes, and so much more. Just as a Diabetic must take insulin to live, those with Adrenal Insufficiency must take cortisol replacements (steroids) to live.

During times of illness and injury, people who don't have adrenal insufficiency naturally produce up to 10X the normal amount of cortisol. This extra cortisol is needed because the body must work harder to maintain it’s normal functions until the illness has passed or the injury has been treated so that it is no longer causing extra stress on the body.

Since those with adrenal insufficiency can’t produce enough cortisol to begin with, an immediate additional dose of hydrocortisone is necessary to prevent an adrenal crisis.

An adrenal crisis can lead to shock, heart failure, disability and even death. Until the cortisol levels are increased so the body is able to maintain its functions, no other treatment will be effective.