Adrenal disorders

There are three different tests currently used to diagnose Cushing’s Syndrome. One test looks for elevated cortisol levels in saliva, another test looks for elevated cortisol levels in urine, and the third test determines if a synthetic steroid suppresses cortisol produced in the body.

To diagnose Addison’s Disease, your doctor may administer a blood test to measure cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels. The doctor measures blood levels after ACTH is given and determines if adrenal insufficiency (lack of cortisol) is present in the body.

Diagnosing Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) requires a screening blood test of infants. If the screening shows that the infant may have CAH, the doctor will order another blood test to confirm. Pituitary Tumors are another illness that can be found during Adrenal Treatment. The first step in diagnosing these is a physical examination. Your doctor may also conduct a vision test to see if a pituitary tumor has had an effect on your sight. Further tests will need to be done if the results of the vision tests lead to suspicion of pituitary tumors.

If you notice signs of adrenal problems and have suspected Pheochromocytoma/Paraganglioma, your doctor will administer blood or urine testing to measure levels of catecholamines. Catecholamines are hormones that increase heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and energy available in the body.

Hyperaldosteronism is another illness that could be suspected. If it is, your doctor will order blood or urine tests to check for high levels of aldosterone or low levels of potassium. Your doctor may also order a tomography scan to determine if the adrenal gland have a noncancerous tumor or signs of other abnormal growths.

Treatment for Cushing’s syndrome depends on the cause of the illness. If medication is causing the excess cortisol, your doctor can change your dosage or try different medication. If your body making too much cortisol causes Cushing’s syndrome, treatments could include medication, surgery, radiation, or a combination.

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) cannot be cured, but it can be treated and controlled by medication to replace the hormones that your body is not making.

Pituitary tumors have a widely used treatment in transsphenoidal adenomectomy, which uses a microscope and small instruments to remove the tumor through a nostril or an opening below the upper lip. Radiation is another treatment option.

Pheochromocytoma/Paraganglioma is usually treated by the removal of the tumor through surgery. More often than not, removing the tumor improves the patient’s blood pressure control.

Replacing the cortisol or aldosterone that the body is lacking can treat Addison’s disease. Patients with Addison’s disease take medication every day to replace these hormones.

Hyperaldosteronism is treated with medications that block the effect of aldosterone, which causes excessive growth of normal cells in adrenal glands. The affected gland can also be removed using minimally invasive surgery.