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Endocrinology

Adrenal Gland Disorders

The adrenal glands produce vital hormones that regulate the stress response, blood pressure, metabolism and salt-water balance. Masses in these glands and excess hormone production can lead to hypertension and metabolic disorders.

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ℹWhat is Adrenal Gland Disorders?

The adrenal gland is a small but vital endocrine gland that sits like a cap on top of each kidney. It produces critical hormones such as cortisol, aldosterone, adrenaline and noradrenaline, which control the body's stress response, blood pressure, metabolic rate and electrolyte (sodium/potassium) balance. Benign or malignant adrenal masses, or excessive hormone production by the gland, disturb the body's physiological balance and can lead to hypertension and metabolic disorders.

At eKonsey, our Multidisciplinary Council of specialists in endocrinology, endocrine surgery, nuclear medicine and radiology evaluates these hormonal disorders and adrenal masses holistically.

Common Symptoms

Resistant hypertension and potassium loss
High blood pressure that is difficult to control with medication; muscle cramps, weakness and effects on heart rhythm due to potassium loss (Conn's disease).
Signs of pheochromocytoma
Episodes of severe headache, intense palpitations, excessive sweating, and sudden severe rises in blood pressure.
Signs of Cushing's syndrome
Rapid weight gain, thickening of the trunk, a rounded face (moon face), purple stretch marks, easy bruising and muscle weakness.

Causes

Adrenal Adenomas and Incidentalomas
Adrenal tumours, usually benign, that are often found by chance (incidentaloma) on imaging performed for another reason (ultrasound, CT, MRI). Some adenomas remain silent, while others continuously produce hormones in an uncontrolled way. Whether the mass secretes hormones, and its malignant (cancer) potential, should be investigated with hormone tests and a joint radiology and endocrinology approach.
Conn's Disease (Primary Aldosteronism)
The adrenal gland secretes excessive aldosterone. This causes sodium retention and potassium loss, leading to resistant hypertension that is difficult to control with medication. With the eKonsey approach, the aldosterone/renin ratio is assessed, the need for adrenal venous sampling (AVS) is determined and the timing of surgery is planned.
Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma
Rare and dynamic tumours arising from the core of the adrenal gland (medulla) that produce excessive catecholamines (adrenaline/noradrenaline). The eKonsey approach aims to establish the diagnosis with 24-hour urine tests and nuclear medicine imaging, to prepare blood pressure and heart rate safely before surgery with specific medications (alpha blockers), and to plan the timing of surgery.
Cushing's Syndrome (Adrenal Cortisol Excess)
The body chronically produces excessive cortisol because of an adenoma or hyperplasia in the adrenal gland. With the eKonsey approach, cortisol suppression is assessed with dexamethasone suppression tests, and follow-up or treatment strategies are evaluated.
Adrenal Hyperplasia
Symmetrical or nodular enlargement of both adrenal glands with excessive hormone production.

Second opinion for Adrenal Gland Disorders

A second specialist's review of your Adrenal Gland Disorders diagnosis or treatment plan can clarify your next step. On eKonsey this review is done online.

When is a second opinion useful?

  • When the diagnosis is unclear or more than one possibility was discussed
  • When surgery or a long-term treatment was recommended
  • When the response to treatment is not what you expected

About second opinions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: October 15, 2026

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