What is Adrenal Insufficiency?

Adrenal Insufficiency (AI) is a pathology of different etiology that is associated with low production of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids, hormones produced in the cortex of the adrenal glands. One can have several types of adrenal insufficiency and also several classifications. More frequent in adults and without gender predominance.

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Types and Classifications

When called primary AI (Addison) the defect originates from the adrenal gland itself, secondary AI when there is a deficiency in the production of the hormone that stimulates adrenal production, which is ACTH or adrenocorticotrophic hormone and in the inability of the hypothalamus to stimulate the production of CRH (corticotrophin-releasing hormone), which is sometimes called Tertiary AI .

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Other reasons can lead to adrenal insufficiency:

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