Adrenal

The adrenal glands are small, vital organs, roughly the size of walnuts, that sit atop each kidney. They are essential components of your endocrine system, producing hormones that regulate nearly every process in your body. Think of them as your body’s control center for stress, metabolism, and energy.

The Role of Your Adrenal Glands: The Body’s Stress & Energy Regulators

The adrenal glands are complex “hormone factories” composed of two main parts — the outer cortex and the inner medulla — each producing distinct, essential hormones.

Hormones from the Adrenal Cortex (Outer Layer)

Cortisol (Glucocorticoid): Often called the “stress hormone,” cortisol is vital for survival. It regulates metabolism by influencing how your body uses fats, proteins, and carbohydrates for energy. Cortisol also plays a key role in suppressing inflammation, modulating the immune system, and maintaining stable blood pressure, particularly when the body is under stress.

Aldosterone (Mineralocorticoid): This hormone is the chief regulator of your blood pressure and electrolyte balance. Aldosterone signals the kidneys to retain sodium and excrete potassium, which in turn helps manage your body’s fluid volume.

Androgens: The adrenals produce small amounts of weak male sex hormones (like DHEA), which serve as precursors for producing other sex hormones (estrogen and testosterone) elsewhere in the body. These play a role in puberty and regulate body hair growth.

Hormones from the Adrenal Medulla (Inner Layer)

Adrenaline (Epinephrine) and Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline): These are the catecholamines responsible for the rapid, acute “fight-or-flight” response. When you face immediate danger or severe stress, they are released instantly, increasing your heart rate and breathing, raising blood pressure, and diverting blood flow to your muscles to prepare you for action.

Adrenal Gland Disorders

When the adrenal glands produce too much or too little of these hormones, a variety of disorders can arise, impacting your energy, weight and blood pressure. We specialize in diagnosing and treating these complex conditions:

Adrenal Insufficiency (Addison’s Disease)

Adrenal insufficiency occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol and, in some cases, aldosterone. This is a serious condition that can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and managed.

Common Symptoms of Chronic Adrenal Insufficiency:

Persistent and overwhelming fatigue

Unexplained weight loss

Low blood pressure and dizziness when standing

Salt cravings

Nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain

Other Common Adrenal Disorders

Cushing’s Syndrome: Caused by the overproduction of cortisol. Symptoms often include weight gain (especially around the midsection and face), easy bruising, and high blood pressure.

Hyperaldosteronism (Conn’s Syndrome): Caused by the overproduction of aldosterone, leading to high blood pressure and low potassium levels.

Adrenal Masses: Including non-cancerous tumors (adenomas) that may or may not produce excess hormones.

Understand Your Adrenal Health: Key to Energy and Balance