Term

Adrenal glands produce hormones that help regulate your metabolism, immune system, blood pressure and other essential functions. There are two main categories of adrenal insufficiency:  1-    Primary adrenal insufficiency occurs when adrenal glands produce too little cortisol and, often, too little aldosterone. Most often, this takes the form of a long-term (chronic) disease called Addison’s disease.  2-    Secondary adrenal insufficiency when the pituitary gland makes an insufficient amount of a hormone called “adrenocorticotropic hormone.” This hormone stimulates the adrenal gland to produce cortisol. If the pituitary gland somehow is damaged or altered, it can affect adrenal gland cortisol secretion, even if the adrenal glands are healthy. Secondary adrenal insufficiency is most commonly caused by medications, such as prednisone.