Addison's Disease - Answers Inability of the adrenal to produce sufficient glucocorticoids. Intolerance to
stress, extreme sensitivity to insulin.
Overproduction of ACTH and other POMC peptides results in increased pigmentation.
Secondary adrenal insufficiency - Answers Lack of ACTH. Intolerance to stress, extreme sensitivity to
insulin.
Symptoms the same as Addison's disease except no increased pigmentation.
Cushing's Disease - Answers Occurs with the growth of an ACTH secreting pituitary tumor. Increase in
cortisol.
Glucocorticoid excess. Due to overproduction of ACTH by a pituitary or ectopic tumor; adrenal tumor;
pharmacological use of glucocorticoids.
Truncal obesity and buffalo hump. Accelerated gluconeogenesis. Decreased resistance to infection.
Decreased inflammatory response.
Mineralocorticoid activity of cortisol results in e.g. hypertension, edema and alkalosis.
ACTH stimulates not only glucocorticoid production but also weak androgens, so the excess ACTH in this
syndrome can lead to presentation of male pattern baldness and cliteromegaly.
Cushing's Syndrome - Answers Excess cortisol production because of tumor but this is at the level of the
adrenal cortex.
Will not see excess ACTH in Cushing's Syndrome but you do in Cushing's Disease.
Because cortisol seeks to increase blood glucose levels, it will use whatever materials are available,
including healthy tissue which will drive mobilization of fat stores into the anterior abdominal region.
Conn's Syndrome