Common adrenal conditions
- Adrenal nodules: most are benign, but all need hormone testing.
- Cushing's syndrome: too much cortisol, causing weight gain, round face, high blood sugar and easy bruising.
- Adrenal insufficiency: too little cortisol, causing tiredness, weight loss, dizziness and salt cravings. It can follow long-term steroid use.
- Primary aldosteronism: too much aldosterone, causing high blood pressure and sometimes low potassium.
- Pheochromocytoma: a rare tumor that releases adrenaline, causing spells of high blood pressure and pounding heart.
Who should be screened for primary aldosteronism?
Guidelines suggest screening people with high blood pressure that is hard to control, low potassium, an adrenal nodule or sleep apnea with high blood pressure. It is often missed, and treating it can greatly improve blood pressure.