What are overactive adrenal glands?
When adrenal glands produce excessive amounts of certain hormones, they are called “overactive.” Symptoms and treatment depend on which hormones are being overproduced: • androgenic steroids (androgen hormones) – an overproduction of androgenic steroids (such as testosterone) can lead to exaggerated male characteristics in both men and women, such as hairiness of the face and body, baldness, acne, deeper voice, and more muscularity. • corticosteroids – an overproduction of corticosteroids can lead to Cushing’s syndrome (see below). • aldosterone – an overproduction of the aldosterone hormone can lead to high blood pressure and to those symptoms associated with low levels of potassium (i.e., weakness, muscle aches, spasms, and sometimes paralysis). The symptoms of overactive adrenal glands may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis. How are overactive adrenal glands diagnosed? In addition to a complete medical history and medical exa