Major Symptoms Of Adrenal Insufficiency

Body Hair Loss

Body hair loss can be an indicative symptom that manifests in an adrenal insufficiency patient. This symptom occurs most commonly in those who have adrenal insufficiency as a result of an autoimmune attack on their adrenal glands. The adrenal gland releases androgens, which function as weakened male hormones. Androgens are converted in a female's ovaries into estrogen hormones, and androgens in males are converted to more potent testosterone hormones in the testes. Androgens also influence the growth of hair in different regions of the body. Inside of the hair follicle, androgens change the interactions between mesenchyme and epithelial cells.

This mechanism changes the duration of hair growth, keratinocyte activity, dermal papilla size, and the activity of melanocytes. Androgen is essential for hair growth, and an overproduction of androgens causes the affected individual to experience excessive hair growth around the body. However, adrenal insufficiency patients have adrenal glands that do not produce enough androgens, causing body hair to fall out and excessive dryness of their skin. Androgen shortage can also delay puberty in preteens.

Weight Loss

Adrenal insufficiency may present with weight loss as a manifestation of the disorder. This symptom is mainly caused by the adrenal glands failing to produce enough cortisol for the body. Cortisol functions in healthy individuals to move triglycerides from storage to the fat cells underneath the abdominal muscles or visceral fat cells. It is also a key factor in the maturation of adipocytes into matured fat cells. In addition, cortisol functions to remove glucose from liver storage and relocate it to the bloodstream when it's needed. Cortisol inhibits the production of insulin to keep glucose levels high in the blood to help accomplish this. This process causes cells to become deprived of glucose, reducing their production of energy. Cellular energy deprivation stimulates the transmission of hunger signals to the brain, enhancing appetite.

Adrenal insufficiency patients do not get cortisol from the adrenal glands, so these metabolic processes that stimulate appetite do not occur. Cortisol can also have a direct influence on appetite through binding with receptors in the hypothalamus. Cortisol decreases inflammatory immune system processes that can induce poor appetite. Furthermore, fifty percent of individuals with adrenal insufficiency caused by autoimmune action reported complications of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The combination of one or more of these mechanisms can result in the affected individual burning off more calories than are being consumed, causing weight loss.