Adrenal Dysfunction Clinic

Hormones Produced by These Glands Help the Body:

• Maintain blood pressure and cardiovascular function
• Maintain levels of glucose, a form of sugar used for energy, in the blood
• Regulate the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats
• Respond to stress
• Slow the immune system's inflammatory response

Our surgeons provide excellent, personalized care to patients with adrenal dysfunctions. 

Our Team Members Diagnose and Treat a Number of Adrenal Gland Disorders:

• Cancerous adrenal tumors can be surgically removed using either traditional methods or a minimally invasive method
• Cushing's syndrome
  • A complex set of symptoms and physical abnormalities caused by excess cortisol in the body
  • Treatment depends on identifying the cause of the cortisol overproduction (e.g., an adrenal or pituitary tumor) and removing it
  • If your disorder is a consequence of long-term use of prednisone for another disease, your doctor may reduce or discontinue the dosage.
• Hyperaldosteronism
  • The overproduction of aldosterone, a hormone that controls sodium and potassium levels.
    • Can lead to hypertension (high blood pressure)
    • Treated by medication and/or surgery
• Non-cancerous tumors of the adrenal glands can be treated through medication or surgery.

Adrenal surgery

Adrenalectomy

This is a surgical procedure to remove the adrenal gland(s). Most small adrenal masses can be removed laparoscopically. However, larger masses and those that are suspicious for cancer are removed via open surgery.

Care preparation for adrenalectomy

• Patients with pheochromocytoma will need to have their catecholamine production adequately blocked with medications such as phenoxybenzamine, and/or calcium channel and beta blockers prior to surgery.
• Patients with hyperaldosteronism will need to have their blood pressure and potassium levels under optimal control prior to surgery.
• Patients with severe hypercortisolism will sometimes be placed on medications to block steroid production such as metatyrapone, aminoglutethimide, or mitotane, prior to surgery.

Care after adrenalectomy

Patients who have undergone bilateral adrenalectomy will need to have replacement of adrenal function with cortisol and mineralocorticoid. They are at risk for developing adrenal insufficiency with stress, and may need cortisol injections at those times.