Adrenal insufficiency is also called Addison's disease. In this condition, the adrenal glands--hormone producing glands found above the kidneys--produce inadequate amounts of hormones classified as androgens, corticosteroids and mineralocorticoids. If left untreated, this condition can lead to a dangerous condition called an adrenal or addisonian crisis. However, certain medications are used to manage this condition.
Hormones
Aldosterone is a mineralocorticoid adrenal hormone that regulates blood pressure, as well as sodium and water balance. Cortisol, on the other hand, is a corticosteroid adrenal hormone. It plays a part in the regulation of the blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Testosterone is an androgen hormone and it regulates expression of male sexual characteristics.
Deficiency Effects
Low amounts of cortisol in the blood lead to symptoms such as low blood sugar levels and low blood pressure. Fatigue is also a sign of low cortisol levels in the body. In the presence of low aldosterone levels, the body loses more sodium and water. This leads to a reduction in blood volume and low blood pressure. Low amounts of androgens may cause loss of body hair in females. In men, testosterone produced in the testes makes up for the loss of androgens from the adrenal glands.
Medications
In adrenal insufficiency, treatment involves substitution or replacement of the hormones that the adrenal glands are not making with manmade versions. In this case, aldosterone is replaced with fludrocortisone, while cortisol is replaced with hydrocortisone. The Mayo Clinic reports that dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, can be used to treat low adrogen levels in women.
Availability
Hydrocortisone and dehydroepiandrosterone are available in oral form and also as injections. Fludrocortisone is given orally as well.
Precautions
According to Medline Plus, a service of the National Library of Medicine, neither fludrocortisone nor hydrocortisone should be stopped abruptly. Instead, a doctor should be consulted before either of these drugs are stopped. Individuals who have certain conditions such as abnormal heart rhythms, a history of liver disease and blood clots should not take DHEA supplements.
Side Effects
Side effects of fludrocortisone and hydrocortisone are excessive hair growth, insomnia or difficulty in sleeping as well as skin that bruises easily. Serious effects that should be treated immediately by a physician are black stools, weak muscles, infections that don't go away quickly, problems with eyesight, skin rash and swelling in the ankles or the face. DHEA may cause women to develop masculine characteristics such as excessive facial hair and a deep voice. It also causes other side effects such as insomnia or trouble sleeping and tiredness.
Considerations
An addisonian crisis is a medical emergency in which a person's blood pressure and blood glucose levels are extremely low. Potassium levels in the body are also high in this life-threatening emergency. Treatment for this condition involves administering hydrocortisone intravenously. Saline solution with a form of sugar known as dextrose is also given intravenously.
