Which is a common cause of secondary adrenal insufficiency?

Which is a common cause of secondary adrenal insufficiency?

• A. Pituitary Tumor
• B. Adrenal Hemorrhage
• C. Addison Disease
• D. Adrenal Adenoma

Answer: (A)

Secondary adrenal insufficiency occurs when the pituitary fails to provide enough ACTH to stimulate the adrenal cortex, so cortisol falls while aldosterone remains largely normal because its control is mainly through the renin-angiotensin system. A pituitary tumor is a common cause because it can impair ACTH production directly, leading to cortisol deficiency without the mineralocorticoid problems seen in primary adrenal failure. Adrenal hemorrhage destroys the adrenal cortex, producing primary adrenal insufficiency with low cortisol and low aldosterone (and often electrolyte disturbances). Addison disease is primary autoimmune destruction of the adrenal glands, also causing low cortisol with aldosterone deficiency. An adrenal adenoma typically affects the adrenal gland itself and does not cause secondary adrenal insufficiency.

Secondary adrenal insufficiency occurs when the pituitary fails to provide enough ACTH to stimulate the adrenal cortex, so cortisol falls while aldosterone remains largely normal because its control is mainly through the renin-angiotensin system. A pituitary tumor is a common cause because it can impair ACTH production directly, leading to cortisol deficiency without the mineralocorticoid problems seen in primary adrenal failure.

Adrenal hemorrhage destroys the adrenal cortex, producing primary adrenal insufficiency with low cortisol and low aldosterone (and often electrolyte disturbances). Addison disease is primary autoimmune destruction of the adrenal glands, also causing low cortisol with aldosterone deficiency. An adrenal adenoma typically affects the adrenal gland itself and does not cause secondary adrenal insufficiency.