Major Symptoms Of Adrenal Insufficiency

Depression

Individuals who have adrenal insufficiency may present with symptoms of depression as a result of their disorder. Numerous factors that occur in this disorder can trigger depression. Cortisol in the body has a significant influence on an individual's healthy sleep-wake cycle, and sleep difficulties have proven to trigger depression. Reduced cardiovascular output and low blood pressure from lack of cortisol can cause a patient to feel frequently fatigued and contribute to depressive feelings. In healthy individuals, cortisol manages glucose levels and reallocates energy from nonvital organ systems to the neuromuscular system and actively functioning brain throughout the day. Without this energy distribution management mechanism due to lack of cortisol, depression can be triggered by decreased energy levels, weakness, and mental fatigue. Low serotonin levels are associated with depression and can be caused by an increase of cytokine production, a process of which cortisol is responsible for mediating. Pro-inflammatory cytokines activate the TRYCAT pathway that steals a compound called tryptophan away from the brain's healthy production of serotonin. Furthermore, nociceptors become sensitized due to a long duration of elevated cytokine levels not managed due to a deficiency of cortisol. Sensitized nociceptors present as an increase in sensitivity to pain, and chronic pain often leads to depressive disorders.

Keep reading to uncover more warning signs of adrenal insufficiency to watch for now.