Adrenal insufficiency is a condition in which the adrenal glands do not produce adequate amounts of steroid hormones, primarily cortisol; but may also include impaired production of aldosterone (a mineralocorticoid), which regulates sodium conservation, potassium secretion, and water retention. Craving for salt or salty foods due to the urinary losses of sodium is common.Addisons disease and congenital adrenal hyperplasia can manifest as adrenal insufficiency. If not treated, adrenal insufficiency may result in abdominal pains, vomiting, muscle weakness and fatigue, depression, low blood pressure, weight loss, kidney failure, changes in mood and personality, and shock (adrenal crisis). An adrenal crisis may occur if the body is subjected to stress, such as an accident, injury, surgery, or severe infection; death may quickly follow.Adrenal insufficiency can also occur when the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland does not make adequate amounts of the hormones that assist in regulating adrenal function. This is called secondary or tertiary adrenal insufficiency and is caused by lack of production of ACTH in the pituitary or lack of CRH in the hypothalamus, respectively. Types
There are three major types of adrenal insufficiency. Primary adrenal insufficiency is due to impairment of the adrenal glands. 80% are due to an autoimmune disease called Addisons disease or autoimmune adrenalitis. One subtype is called idiopathic, meaning of unknown cause. It can also be due to congenital adrenal hyperplasia or an adenoma (tumor) of the adrenal gland.
Effects
Treatment
Adrenal crisis
Intravenous fluids
Intravenous steroid (Solu-Cortef/injectable hydrocortisone) later hydrocortisone, prednisone or methylpredisolone tablets
Rest
Cortisol deficiency (primary and secondary)
Hydrocortisone (Cortef)
Prednisone (Deltasone)
Prednisolone (Delta-Cortef)
Methylprednisolone (Medrol)
Dexamethasone (Decadron)
Hydrocortisone granules in capsules for opening (Alkindi)
Mineralocorticoid deficiency (low aldosterone)
Fludrocortisone acetate(To balance sodium, potassium and increase water retention)

See also
Addisons disease – primary adrenocortical insufficiency
Cushings syndrome – overproduction of cortisol
Insulin tolerance test – another test used to identify sub-types of adrenal insufficiency
Adrenal fatigue (hypoadrenia) – a term used in alternative medicine to describe a believed exhaustion of the adrenal glands

References
Further reading
Bornstein, Stefan R.; Allolio, Bruno; Arlt, Wiebke; Barthel, Andreas; Don-Wauchope, Andrew; Hammer, Gary D.; Husebye, Eystein S.; Merke, Deborah P.; Murad, M. Hassan; Stratakis, Constantine A.; Torpy, David J. (February 2016). "Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Adrenal Insufficiency: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline". The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 101 (2): 364–389. doi:10.1210/jc.2015-1710. PMC 4880116. PMID 26760044. == External links ==