Major Symptoms Of Adrenal Insufficiency

Body Hair Loss

Body hair loss can be an indicative symptom that manifests in an adrenal insufficiency patient. This symptom occurs most commonly in those who have adrenal insufficiency as a result of an autoimmune attack on their adrenal glands. The adrenal gland releases androgens, which function as weakened male hormones. Androgens are converted in a female's ovaries into estrogen hormones, and androgens in males are converted to more potent testosterone hormones in the testes. Androgens also influence the growth of hair in different regions of the body. Inside of the hair follicle, androgens change the interactions between mesenchyme and epithelial cells. This mechanism changes the duration of hair growth, keratinocyte activity, dermal papilla size, and the activity of melanocytes. Androgen is essential for hair growth, and an overproduction of androgens causes the affected individual to experience excessive hair growth around the body. However, adrenal insufficiency patients have adrenal glands that do not produce enough androgens, causing body hair to fall out and excessive dryness of their skin. Androgen shortage can also delay puberty in preteens.

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