Conditions and symptoms
What Is Adrenal Insufficiency? Steroid Warnings Explained
Adrenal insufficiency · say it: uh-DREE-nul in-suh-FISH-un-seeAlso written: Addison's disease, adrenal suppression, hypoadrenalism, adrenal crisis
Short answer
Adrenal insufficiency means the adrenal glands do not make enough cortisol. A sudden severe form, adrenal crisis, is an emergency.
What it means
The adrenal glands, above the kidneys, make cortisol, a hormone that helps the body handle stress, illness, blood pressure and blood sugar. In adrenal insufficiency they do not make enough. Symptoms can include tiredness, weakness, dizziness, weight loss, nausea and low blood pressure. An adrenal crisis, with vomiting, severe weakness, confusion or collapse, is an emergency needing urgent medical help.
Labels for corticosteroid medicines warn that taking them for more than a few weeks can switch off the body's own cortisol production (adrenal suppression). Stopping suddenly, or not increasing the dose during serious illness or surgery when advised, can then lead to adrenal insufficiency. This is why steroids are tapered and why people on long-term steroids may be given a steroid card and 'sick day rules'. Some other medicines, such as some opioids and some antifungals, also list it.
Primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease) is when the adrenal glands themselves are damaged. Secondary adrenal insufficiency is when the brain's signal to the adrenals is reduced, such as after long-term steroid use.
Where you may see it
- Corticosteroid labels under 'Adrenal suppression'
- Steroid emergency cards
- Endocrinology letters and discharge summaries
📄 How it looks on a report
Prolonged use may cause hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression. Withdraw gradually; supplementation may be needed during stress.
🙅 What it does not mean
- Tiredness alone does not mean adrenal insufficiency.
- It does not mean steroid medicines are wrong for you; it means they need careful stopping.
- It is not the same as 'adrenal fatigue', which is not a recognised medical diagnosis.
🎯 Check yourself
Which of these is the right meaning of “Adrenal insufficiency”?
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Adrenal insufficiency”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Dexamethasone
A corticosteroid, a synthetic adrenocortical steroid medicine that lowers inflammation and suppresses the immune system
- Levothyroxine Sodium
a synthetic thyroid hormone (L-thyroxine, also called T4), described on the label as chemically identical to the hormone made by the human thyroid gland
- Prednisolone
a corticosteroid, a type of steroid medicine. The label describes glucocorticoids as adrenocortical steroids, both naturally occurring and synthetic, that are readily absorbed from the stomach and intestines.
- Prednisone
a corticosteroid, a type of steroid medicine that works like the adrenocortical (adrenal gland) steroids the body makes naturally
- Spironolactone
An aldosterone antagonist, a type of prescription medicine the FDA classifies this way
- Tramadol
an opioid pain medicine, also called an opioid analgesic
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Adrenal insufficiency” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
- NCI Dictionary definition ↗
US National Cancer Institute: “adrenal insufficiency”
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