Adrenal glands
The adrenal glands sit above the kidneys and make hormones including cortisol and aldosterone. Examples of adrenal conditions include:
- adrenal insufficiency (such as Addison’s disease) — too little cortisol, which can cause tiredness, weight loss, low blood pressure and salt craving
- Cushing’s syndrome — too much cortisol
- primary aldosteronism — a hormonal cause of high blood pressure
- adrenal nodules found by chance on a scan, which are usually checked with hormone tests
Pituitary gland
The pituitary, at the base of the brain, controls several other glands. Most pituitary growths (adenomas) are not cancerous, but they can make too much of a hormone — such as prolactin or growth hormone — cause too little of others, or press on the nerves to the eyes.
When more than one gland is involved
Some conditions affect several hormone-producing glands at once, such as autoimmune polyglandular syndromes. Dr. Maiti has coauthored case reports on this and on other uncommon adrenal conditions.
Urgent symptoms
People with adrenal insufficiency can become seriously unwell very quickly (an adrenal crisis), with vomiting, severe weakness, confusion or collapse. This is an emergency — go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Preparing for your consultation
- hormone blood-test and urine-test reports
- scan reports (CT or MRI), and the images if you have them
- a list of all medicines, including any steroid tablets, creams or inhalers
- earlier prescriptions and discharge summaries
The conditions named here are examples to explain this area of endocrinology. They are not a list of services.
This page gives general information to help you prepare for a consultation. It is not medical advice and does not replace an assessment by a doctor. In an emergency, go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Last updated 25 September 2026.