Pituitary diseases can lead to problems with adrenal function.Ĭonditions related to adrenal gland problems include: The pituitary, a small gland at the bottom of the brain, releases a hormone called ACTH that stimulates the adrenal cortex to make its hormones. Medicines can also affect the adrenal glands. Some are permanent and some go away over time. The adrenal glands can be affected by many diseases, such as autoimmune disorders, infections, tumors, and bleeding. This might happen at birth or later in life. When the glands produce more or less hormones than normal, you can become sick. These hormones are also called adrenaline and noradrenaline. It produces epinephrine and norepinephrine. The inner part of the gland is called the medulla. It produces steroid hormones such as cortisol, aldosterone, and hormones that can be changed into testosterone.
The outer part of the gland is called the cortex. Each adrenal gland is about the size of the top part of the thumb.
