Adrenal Disease

What is Adrenal Disease?

Your adrenal glands, located near the top of each kidney, produce hormones that regulate several functions in the body, including your stress response, blood pressure, metabolism, and immune system. They play a vital role in producing hormones that regulate essential body functions, like:

Stress response (cortisol)
Blood pressure regulation (aldosterone)
Metabolism
Immune system function
Salt and water balance
Sex hormone production

Types of Adrenal Disease

Addison's Disease (Adrenal Insufficiency) occurs when the adrenal glands don't produce enough cortisol and aldosterone

Primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease) is when the adrenal glands themselves are damaged
Secondary adrenal insufficiency results from problems with the pituitary gland, which regulates the adrenal glands

Common symptoms include:

Extreme fatigue
Weight loss and decreased appetite
Low blood pressure (may cause dizziness upon standing)
Salt cravings
Low blood sugar
Nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
Muscle or joint pain
Depression or irritability
Darkening of skin (in Addison's disease)

Cushing's Syndrome occurs when your body is exposed to high levels of cortisol for a long time, often due to:

Long-term use of corticosteroid medications
Pituitary tumors
Adrenal tumors

Primary Hyperaldosteronism is a condition where the adrenal glands produce too much aldosterone, causing:

High blood pressure that may be difficult to control
Low potassium levels (hypokalemia)
Muscle weakness or cramping
Headaches

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia is group of genetic conditions affecting the adrenal glands' hormone production.

Adrenal Tumors

Adrenal adenomas: Noncancerous tumors that may or may not affect hormone production
Adrenocortical carcinoma: Rare cancerous tumors of the adrenal cortex
Pheochromocytoma: Usually benign tumors that cause excess production of adrenaline

How are Adrenal Diseases Diagnosed?

Our experts use several methods to accurately diagnose adrenal conditions:

Laboratory Tests

Blood tests: Measure levels of cortisol, ACTH, aldosterone, and other hormones
Urine tests: 24-hour urine collection to measure hormone levels
Saliva tests: May be used to track cortisol patterns throughout the day

Specialized Testing

ACTH stimulation test: Measures how well your adrenal glands respond to ACTH
Dexamethasone suppression test: Checks how your body processes cortisol
Salt loading test: Evaluates aldosterone production

Imaging Studies

CT scans: Provide detailed images of the adrenal glands
MRI scans: Offer clear visualization of the adrenal glands and potential tumors
Adrenal venous sampling: A specialized procedure to sample blood directly from the adrenal veins

What is an Adrenal Crisis?

Adrenal crisis is a life-threatening medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms include:

Severe pain in lower back, abdomen, or legs
Severe vomiting and diarrhea
Dehydration
Low blood pressure
Loss of consciousness

Schedule an appointment with a UR Medicine provider.

(585) 275-2901

UR Medicine's Treatments for Adrenal Disease

The UR Medicine Endocrinology Clinic takes a multidisciplinary approach to adrenal disease and adrenal cancer. We emphasize close communication between our endocrinology providers and endocrine surgeons.

Treatment depends on the specific condition but may include:

Hormone replacement therapy for insufficiency conditions
Surgery for tumors or certain cases of Cushing's syndrome
Medication to control hormone production
Lifestyle modifications to manage symptoms

Living With Adrenal Conditions

With proper diagnosis and treatment, most people with adrenal conditions can lead normal, active lives. Important management strategies include:

Taking medications exactly as prescribed
Wearing medical alert identification
Having an emergency kit for adrenal crisis
Regular follow-up with your healthcare provider
Stress management techniques

What Sets Us Apart?

UR Medicine has the only board-certified endocrine surgeons in the Rochester region. Our physicians are amongst the most highly trained in the regions, with national reputations as leaders in clinical Endocrinology. We proudly serve over 12,000 patients a year in our outpatient clinics, and we are the preferred choice for referring physicians in Western New York and surrounding areas.

Multidisciplinary Expertise & Personalized Treatment

Our program brings together endocrinologists, endocrine surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, nuclear medicine specialists, and other experts who collaborate to provide comprehensive care. We recognize that each patient is unique and develop individualized treatment strategies tailored to your specific condition, symptoms, and lifestyle needs.

Specialized Adrenal Tumor Board

Complex cases are reviewed by our dedicated adrenal tumor board, where experts from multiple disciplines gather to discuss each case in depth. This collaborative approach ensures all treatment options are thoroughly evaluated before making recommendations.

Cutting-Edge Research and Collaboration

Our team actively participates in national and international research collaborations, giving our patients access to the latest advancements in adrenal disease management. Our physicians maintain close relations with academic medical centers throughout the country, who routinely work with us in treating patients with rare and complex adrenal disorders. These nationally-recognized providers are writing the endocrine literature and textbooks, and are able to offer the latest, most advanced treatments to our patients. This global network of expertise allows us to offer innovative approaches for challenging cases.

Coordinated Care

From diagnosis through treatment and follow-up, our team provides seamless coordination of your care, reducing stress and improving outcomes.