Adrenal glands
3-minute read
Key facts
- Your adrenal glands sit on top of your kidneys.
- Your adrenal glands make many hormones, including cortisol, aldosterone and adrenaline.
- Some conditions affecting the adrenal glands include Cushing's syndrome and Addison's disease.
- Adrenal gland conditions are rare.
What are my adrenal glands?
Your adrenal glands are 2 triangle-shaped endocrine glands that sit on top of your kidneys. They form part of your body's hormonal system.
What do my adrenal glands do?
Your adrenal glands make hormones that are involved in:
- controlling your blood pressure
- your metabolism
- your body's response to stress
What hormones do my adrenal glands make?
Your adrenal glands make many hormones, including:
- adrenaline
- cortisol
- aldosterone
Adrenaline is involved in your body's stress (or 'fight or flight') response. It:
- makes your heart beat faster
- sends more blood to your muscles
- causes other changes in your body that prepare it for fight or flight
Cortisol does many things, including:
- influencing your metabolism (how your body uses energy)
- changing your blood sugar levels
- lowering inflammation
- helping to control your blood pressure and heart rate
Aldosterone also plays a part in controlling blood pressure and helps keep your salt and water levels balanced.
The adrenal glands also make a hormone called dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and small amounts of testosterone.
What medical conditions are related to my adrenal glands?
Adrenal gland disorders are rare.
Some conditions that can affect your adrenal glands are:
Adrenal fatigue is not currently recognised as a medical condition.
Cushing's syndrome
Cushing's syndrome is when your body has too much cortisol. This causes a range of symptoms, such as:
- weight gain
- a puffy or rounded face
- thin skin
- bruising
- high blood sugar levels or diabetes
Cushing's syndrome is usually caused by taking corticosteroid medicine for a long time. It can sometimes be caused by a tumour in your adrenal gland.
Addison's disease
Addison's disease is where your adrenal glands don't make enough cortisol and aldosterone. It's also called primary adrenal insufficiency. Addison's disease is a rare condition.
Symptoms of Addison's disease are:
- poor appetite
- salt cravings
- muscle pain or weakness
- feeling lightheaded
You may also have the following signs:
- darkening of your skin
- weight loss
- tiredness
- nausea and vomiting
- diarrhoea
- irregular menstruation (periods)
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is an inherited condition. It's usually found in babies and children.
Conn syndrome
Conn syndrome is the most common cause of 'primary aldosteronism' — where there is too much of the hormone aldosterone. This is caused by a benign (non-cancerous) tumour in one of your adrenal glands.
The main treatment for Conn syndrome is surgery to remove your affected adrenal gland.
Resources and support
Hormones Australia offers support and resources about the adrenal glands and conditions that affect them.
To learn more about Addison's disease and adrenal insufficiency, visit the Australian Addison's Disease Association.
You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.