What causes Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency?
Low functioning of the pituitary (hypo-pituitary) can be caused by an impact to the head, a tumor on the pituitary gland, antibodies to the pituitary (no lab test for this), or simply being born that way. In the books by Dr’s Jefferies and Teitelbaum they discuss severe illness such as flu affecting the pituitary – adrenal hormone production. Some doctors believe that Epstein Barr and other viral infections can affect the pituitary gland, resulting in lowered request for cortisol.
Any procedure, condition, or disease that involves your brain, and pituitary gland may cause SAI. SAI may be caused by any of the following: • Childbirth problems: Females that lose large amounts of blood during or after childbirth may be at risk of having SAI. This happens when blood flow and oxygen levels to your pituitary gland decrease, and cells die. • Medical conditions: Certain diseases such as sarcoidosis and infections such as HIV and blood infections may cause SAI. Ask your caregiver for information about these conditions. • Medicines: Long term treatment with steroid medicines commonly causes SAI. Your risk of having the condition increases if you suddenly stop taking your steroid medicines. Certain pain and antidepressant medicines may also increase your risk of having SAI. Ask your caregiver for more information about these medicines. • Radiation therapy: Having previous radiation treatment on your head may cause damage to your brain and pituitary gland • Surgery: Any proc
