Adrenal Gland Disorders and Weight Problems

Adrenal gland disorders can be a common cause of weight problems, and this can include a weight gain or a weight loss, depending on the specific disorder. Whether a weight gain or a weight loss occurs will depend on whether the condition is a result of over production or under production of hormones. Each of your kidneys has an adrenal gland situated at near their top, and these glands produce a number of hormones that help regulate your metabolism, as well as other bodily functions and processes. There are a number of disorders that are caused by these glands, and each has certain symptoms including those that can affect your weight.

Cushing Syndrome is one of the most common adrenal gland disorders, and this condition will cause a weight gain in many people. The weight gained seems to settle around the abdomen and the face, and anyone who has this condition may have a moon like facial appearance. The hormone cortisol which is produced by these glands is released in amounts too large, and this causes a weight gain and a slower metabolism. If you experience excess weight in the face and abdominal area then you should be tested to determine what your cortisol levels are. Even if the cause is not Cushing Syndrome it could be an excess of cortisol in your system that needs to be corrected.

Another of the adrenal gland disorders that affect your weight is Addison disease, and this can result in a weight loss. This is caused because there is not enough cortisol being released, and no matter how much you eat you may have a very difficult time gaining weight, if you manage to do it at all. Usually cortisol supplementation can help reverse this situation and stop the weight loss once your hormone levels are normal again.

Pheochromocytoma is another disorder that has an impact on your weight. This is another one of the adrenal gland disorders that can result in weight loss, sometimes by a substantial amount. With this condition your adrenal medulla, the inner part of the gland, secretes too much of the catecholamines. This can cause weight loss as well as a number of other symptoms. No matter whether your weight fluctuation is an unexpected loss or gain, if you gain or lose more than ten pounds without dieting or making lifestyle changes then you should be examined by a doctor. The cause could be adrenal gland problems which require treatment, and once treated then your weight may return to normal.

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