The adrenals make four hormones in the human body-steroid hormones ( cortisol and androgenic steroids), aldosterone, adrenaline, and noradrenaline. The symptoms of overactive adrenals depend on the hormones being overproduced. What symptoms do overactive adrenal glands cause? Sometimes, the adrenals become overactive for unclear reasons. Rarely, Cushing syndrome can be an inherited endocrine disorder.īenign or cancerous tumors of the adrenal glands can lead to an overproduction of adrenal hormones. Tumors that produce ACTH or CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone) can also lead to overactive adrenal glands. This can lead to an overproduction of ACTH. Other causes include taking high doses of steroid medicines like prednisone for the long term to treat chronic diseases. This condition is called Cushing’s syndrome. The pituitary gland's overproduction of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) (a hormone that controls the adrenal glands) is the main cause of the adrenal glands becoming overactive. What causes adrenal glands to be overactive? Please continue reading to learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatment for overactive adrenal glands. When the adrenal glands are overactive, they produce excessive amounts of hormones, which can lead to various health issues. When they don’t produce enough hormones, it can lead to adrenal insufficiency (this condition is called Addison’s disease). The adrenal glands are controlled by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the brain. They make hormones that control important functions in the body, such as heart rate, blood pressure, metabolism, immune function, and stress response.

The adrenal glands, also called the suprarenal glands, are two small triangular glands located above the kidney on each side.

Suprarenal gland location