The adrenal glands are hormone-synthesizing organs found on top of the kidneys. They produce glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoid and catecholamine hormones. These hormones regulate a number of body functions such as water balance and blood pressure. Cortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone that is made in the outer part of the adrenal gland. When the adrenal glands produce too much or too little of this hormone, diseases that have negative effects in the body occur.
Functions
Cortisol regulates several body functions. According to the National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service, cortisol helps maintain blood pressure and proper functioning of the cardiovascular system. It also regulates the immune system by suppressing its inflammatory effects. Additionally, cortisol controls the amount of glucose in the blood and helps the body deal with stress, injury and illness.
High Levels of Cortisol
Cushing's syndrome is a hormonal disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands produce too much cortisol. High levels of cortisol in the blood have several effects on the body. In this disease, weight gain occurs around the abdominal area, the neck and the upper part of the back. A round face, often referred to as a "moon face," tiredness, elevated blood sugar levels, high blood pressure, easily bruised skin, weakness in the muscles, thin bones and excess facial hair in women are some additional effects of too much cortisol in the blood.
Low Levels of Cortisol
When the adrenal glands make insufficient amounts of cortisol, a hormonal disorder called Addison's disease, or primary adrenal insufficiency, happens. The National Adrenal Diseases Foundation reports that this disease was first described by Dr. Thomas Addison in 1855. Symptoms of this condition occur gradually, and they include low blood pressure that drops even lower upon standing, tiredness that keeps getting worse, weight loss, reduced appetite, low blood glucose levels and irregular menstruation in women.
Causes of Adrenal Disorders
Low or high blood levels of cortisol can be caused by problems with the adrenal glands or issues with the pituitary glands. Corticotropin, or ACTH, is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. It stimulates the adrenal glands to make cortisol. Excessive amounts of ACTH in the blood may cause the adrenal glands to produce too much cortisol. Also, low amounts of ACTH may lead to a reduction in the amount of cortisol made by the adrenal glands. Pituitary tumors can cause either of these problems.
Destruction of the adrenal gland by autoimmune diseases can cause Addison's disease, while tumors in the adrenal glands can lead to Cushing's syndrome
Treatment
In diseases characterized by low levels of cortisol, hormone replacement therapy is used as treatment. In Addison's disease, synthetic glucocorticoid hormones like hydrocortisone are administered to replace cortisol. If abnormal cortisol levels are caused by tumors, the tumor can be removed with surgery. Radiation is sometimes used together with surgery to kill off the tumor cells.
References
- The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Adrenal Gland Disorders
- National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service: Cushing's Syndrome
- National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service: Adrenal Insufficiency and Addison's Disease
- National Adrenal Diseases Foundation: Adrenal Diseases - Cushing's Syndrome
- National Adrenal Diseases Foundation: Adrenal Diseases - Addison's Disease
