Secondary adrenal insufficiency (SAI) is characterized by a deficiency in the production of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) by the pituitary gland or CRH by the hypothalamus. The symptoms are the same as for Addison's disease, but in general there is less hypovolemia (Hypovolemia is the state of decreased blood volume, more specifically the volume of blood plasma). The diagnosis is clinical and through laboratory findings, including low plasma concentrations of ACTH and cortisol.

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We also have Tertiary IA , but it is still not well

established, with confusion between whether it is a hypothalamus problem

or if it is due to the use of medications (glucocorticoids

and antifungals), being encompassed by most authors in the secondary.

 

Secondary adrenal insufficiency is the most common type of insufficiency, it can

occurs in:

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• Pan-hypopituitarism

• Previous chronic hypercortisolism

• Pituitary tumors

• Autoimmune lymphocytic hypophysitis

• Sheehan syndrome

• Pituitary infiltration or granuloma

• Isolated congenital ACTH deficiency

 

The most common cause of secondary adrenal insufficiency is abrupt withdrawal

of exogenous glucocorticoid therapy. During corticosteroid therapy,

of ACTH secretion by pituitary corticotrophs with consequent atrophy

adrenal. Once the supply of exogenous corticosteroids is removed or reduced, the

patient may manifest symptoms of adrenal insufficiency.

Similarly, secondary AI can be seen after treatment of the syndrome

of Cushing.

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Symptoms

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The signs and symptoms are similar to those of Addison's disease and include:

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• General malaise

• Asthenia

• Inappetence

• Weight loss

• Gastrointestinal complaints: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea

• Hypoglycemia

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All signs and symptoms are common in primary, secondary and tertiary failure. However, some symptoms are more suggestive of each of the etiologies, the following stand out in the secondary:

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• Skin pallor in the absence of anemia

• Secondary hypothyroidism

• Headache and visual symptoms

• Diabetes insipidus

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A classic difference from Addison's disease and that in secondary adrenal insufficiency we do not have the symptoms of hyperpigmentation and the values ​​are relatively normal for sodium, potassium and urea.

 

Diagnosis

 

Laboratory and imaging tests should be performed for diagnosis:

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• Serum cortisol

• Serum ACTH

• ACTH stimulus test

• CNS imaging exams

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Confirmatory serum test for secondary adrenal insufficiency.

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Patients with confirmed secondary adrenal insufficiency should undergo computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging of the skull to exclude tumors or atrophy of the pituitary gland.

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The CRH test can be used to differentiate between hypothalamic and pituitary causes, but it is rarely used in clinical practice.

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Treatment

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• Hydrocortisone or prednisone or prednisolone or dexamethasone

• Fludrocortisone is not indicated

• Dose increase during concomitant illness

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Glucocorticoid replacement is similar to that described for Addison's disease . Each case varies according to the type and degree of specific hormonal deficiencies.

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Most people take the medication three times a day, when they wake up, and then five to six hours a day during the day. The amount and type of medication varies greatly from patient to patient and depends on the type of adrenal insufficiency in which they were diagnosed.

Symptomatic patients should be treated with hydrocortisone or cortisone in the morning and in the afternoon. The goal is to use the lowest possible dose to relieve the patient's symptoms, preventing weight gain and osteoporosis.

 

During acute febrile illnesses or after trauma, patients receiving corticosteroids for non-endocrine disorders may need supplemental doses to increase their production of endogenous hydrocortisone.

Fludrocortisone is not necessary because intact adrenals produce aldosterone.

In pan-hypophysis, other deficiencies of the pituitary must be treated properly.

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Adrenal Crisis / Addisonian Crisis or Acute Adrenocortical Insufficiency

It is the emergency situation of the disease, being potentially fatal.
Without urgent medical treatment, any serious injury or illness can precipitate an adrenal crisis. This can quickly lead to severe hypotension or life-threatening hypovolemic shock.
It may be the first manifestation of adrenal insufficiency or be precipitated by a stressor, such as surgery, infection, trauma, etc.

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The crisis occurs mainly in patients exposed to acute stress such as infection, surgery, physical or psychological trauma, salt deprivation, and dehydration due to diarrhea and / or vomiting. In crisis, the carrier feels extremely tired, becomes pale, with fever, low back and abdominal pain, blurred vision, and also has possible fainting, diarrhea, vomiting, tachycardia and / or arrhythmia and dehydration.

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Although rare in secondary insufficiency, adrenal crisis can occur. In this case the objective is to reverse the hydro electrolyte imbalance and the deficiency of cortisol.

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