Adrenal Gland Hormones: Functions, Types, and Their Impact on Health

Ever feel unusually tired, stressed, or out of balance and not know why? Your adrenal glands might have something to do with it. These tiny but powerful glands produce hormones that quietly support many of your body’s vital functions—like energy levels, stress response, and blood pressure. When something affects them, you may notice changes in how you feel. 

By knowing about adrenal hormones, their roles, and their effects, you can better understand your body and take steps that support your health.

What Are Adrenal Glands?

Your adrenal glands are two small, triangular-shaped glands located on top of each kidney. Despite their size, they play a big role in your health. These glands produce hormones that help regulate essential body functions like your metabolism, immune response, and blood pressure. They also help your body respond to stress. 

The adrenal gland secretes several hormones in a balanced way to keep your body running smoothly. When your adrenal glands are healthy, you may not even notice them—but they are working continuously in the background for your wellbeing.

What Is The Endocrine System?

The endocrine system is your body’s hormone control network. It includes various glands that release hormones into your bloodstream to regulate processes such as growth, metabolism, and mood. Think of it as your body’s messaging system, where each gland sends out signals that tell your organs how to function. 

The adrenal glands are part of this system and work alongside others like the thyroid, pituitary, and pancreas. Together, these glands help your body stay in balance. If one gland is not working properly, it can affect the others, including your adrenal glands.

Function Of Adrenal Glands

Your adrenal glands are vital for maintaining stability in your body. When you're feeling stressed, tired, or your blood pressure shifts, your adrenal glands are often at work behind the scenes.

Here’s a closer look at the function of adrenal gland and what adrenal gland secretes:

• Cortisol Production: Cortisol helps you respond to stress. It also supports energy levels, regulates metabolism, and maintains blood pressure. When you're under pressure, cortisol helps your body cope and stay balanced.
• Aldosterone Regulation: Aldosterone controls salt and water balance in your body. It helps regulate your blood pressure by managing how much sodium your kidneys retain or release.
• Adrenaline and Noradrenaline: These hormones are part of your “fight or flight” response. When you're faced with danger or stress, they increase your heart rate and prepare your muscles for action.
• Androgens (Sex Hormones): These hormones are involved in the development of male characteristics, but they are also present in people of all sexes. They help regulate libido and influence muscle and bone growth.
• Balancing Other Hormones: The adrenal glands also interact with other hormonal systems. For instance, cortisol influences insulin and thyroid hormones, supporting overall hormonal harmony.
• Helping with Recovery: After stressful events or illness, adrenal hormones help your body return to a state of calm and recovery.

The adrenal gland secretes these hormones in the right amounts to keep your body working well. If the balance is off, you might feel it in subtle ways—such as fatigue or mood changes—but recognising these early can help you manage things more easily.

What Other Organs And Glands Interact With The Adrenal Glands?

Your adrenal glands don't work in isolation. They communicate with several other organs and glands to help maintain a stable internal environment.

Here are the key ones involved:

• Pituitary Gland: Often called the “master gland,” the pituitary signals your adrenal glands to release cortisol using a hormone called ACTH. This connection is essential for managing stress and daily rhythms.
• Hypothalamus: Located in your brain, this gland helps regulate the pituitary. It senses changes in your environment and sends instructions, including when your adrenal glands need to produce more or less cortisol.
• Kidneys: Your adrenal glands sit just above your kidneys. Although they serve different functions, they work closely to manage your blood pressure and fluid balance—especially through the hormone aldosterone.
• Thyroid Gland: Both glands influence your metabolism. If your thyroid hormone levels are off, your adrenal function can be affected, and vice versa.
• Pancreas: Insulin from your pancreas and cortisol from your adrenal glands help regulate your blood sugar. When these hormones are in sync, your energy levels stay more stable.
• Reproductive Organs: Adrenal androgens influence reproductive health and libido. These work in tandem with hormones from the ovaries or testes.

These organs work together like an orchestra. When one part is off-key, the others may need to adjust. Keeping your adrenal glands healthy helps this hormonal balance stay intact.

Where Are The Adrenal Glands Located?

Your adrenal glands sit on top of each kidney, like little caps. You have two kidneys, and therefore, two adrenal glands—one on each side of your body. They’re tucked inside your abdomen, just beneath your ribcage and towards your back. 

Despite being small—only a few centimetres in size—they're positioned perfectly to interact with your kidneys and blood vessels. This location allows them to quickly release hormones into your bloodstream, helping your body respond efficiently to stress, changes in blood pressure, and fluid balance.

What Are The Parts Of The Adrenal Glands?

Each adrenal gland has two main parts, and each one has different responsibilities:

• Adrenal Cortex (Outer Layer): This is the outer portion of the gland. It produces several key hormones, including:
  • Cortisol: Helps regulate metabolism, immune function, and stress response.
  • Aldosterone: Helps control blood pressure and the balance of salt and water in your body.
  • Androgens: Small amounts of sex hormones that influence muscle tone, hair growth, and mood.
• Adrenal Medulla (Inner Layer): This is the centre of the gland. It is responsible for producing:
  • Adrenaline (Epinephrine): Speeds up heart rate, increases energy, and prepares your body for sudden action.
  • Noradrenaline (Norepinephrine): Works alongside adrenaline to manage stress by constricting blood vessels and increasing blood pressure.

These two parts work together. The cortex is more involved in longer-term balance and daily hormone regulation. The medulla, on the other hand, jumps into action when you need to react quickly to stress or danger.

This careful division of labour makes sure that your adrenal gland function is consistent and efficient—giving you support in both daily life and unexpected moments.

How Big Are The Adrenal Glands?

Your adrenal glands are small—each one is about 4–6 cm long and 2–3 cm wide. They weigh only around 4–5 grams each, making them tiny compared to their impact on your health.

Although small in size, their responsibilities are wide-reaching. They’re structured in layers that allow them to produce multiple hormones efficiently. Their compact size also helps them respond quickly to signals from your brain, ensuring your body gets the support it needs when it needs it.

Which Common Conditions And Disorders Affect The Adrenal Glands?

Several health conditions can affect the adrenal glands, but early awareness often leads to effective management.

Here are some of the more common ones:

• Adrenal Fatigue (Controversial): Though not a medically confirmed condition, some people feel persistently tired, possibly due to hormone imbalance. If you feel constantly drained, it’s worth discussing with a health professional.
• Cushing’s Syndrome: This happens when there’s too much cortisol in your body. You might notice weight gain, high blood pressure, and skin changes. It can result from medications or the gland producing excess cortisol.
• Addison’s Disease: This is when your adrenal glands don’t produce enough cortisol and sometimes aldosterone. Symptoms may include fatigue, low blood pressure, and skin darkening. It requires lifelong hormone replacement but can be well managed.
• Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH): A genetic condition where hormone production is disrupted. It may be diagnosed in infancy or childhood, with symptoms affecting growth and development.
• Adrenal Tumours: Most are benign, but some can cause the gland to overproduce hormones. In rare cases, they may be cancerous.
• Pheochromocytoma: A rare tumour of the adrenal medulla that leads to overproduction of adrenaline and noradrenaline, causing high blood pressure and heart palpitations.

Understanding these conditions can help you take action early, especially if you notice persistent symptoms.

Early Warning Signs And Symptoms Of Adrenal Gland Problems

Adrenal gland issues can show up in different ways. Recognising early signs gives you the chance to act before they become more noticeable.

Here are symptoms to watch for:

• Unexplained Fatigue: Feeling tired all the time, even with rest, may be a sign your hormones aren’t in balance.
• Weight Changes: Sudden gain or loss, particularly around your waist, could be linked to cortisol levels.
• Low Blood Pressure or Dizziness: Especially when standing, this may suggest aldosterone imbalance.
• Mood Changes: Anxiety, irritability, or depression may be influenced by hormone shifts.
• Skin Changes: Skin darkening or thinning, especially in folds or scars, may be seen in some adrenal conditions.
• Salt Cravings: Unusual cravings can suggest a drop in aldosterone, which affects salt balance.
• Muscle Weakness or Joint Pain: These symptoms are sometimes tied to changes in cortisol and androgen levels.
• Irregular Menstrual Cycles or Libido Changes: In some cases, adrenal hormone shifts affect reproductive hormones too.

If you notice these signs persistently, it’s a good idea to discuss them with your doctor for proper evaluation.

What Tests Check The Health Of My Adrenal Glands?

If your doctor suspects a problem with your adrenal glands, several tests can help check how well they’re working.

Here are common tests:

• Blood Tests: These check hormone levels like cortisol, aldosterone, and ACTH. They show how your glands are functioning at different times of the day.
• 24-Hour Urine Test: This measures hormone levels over a full day, giving a more complete picture of your adrenal output.
• Saliva Tests: These are sometimes used to measure cortisol levels, especially to track patterns over time.
• ACTH Stimulation Test: This shows how your adrenal glands respond to a hormone that tells them to produce cortisol.
• Imaging Scans: If tumours or structural problems are suspected, CT or MRI scans may be used to look at your adrenal glands directly.

These tests help identify whether your adrenal gland hormones are in balance and ensure you get the right support if needed.

Conclusion

Caring for your adrenal health is an important part of looking after your overall wellbeing. These small glands play a big role—helping you manage stress, maintain energy, and regulate vital functions like blood pressure and metabolism. By understanding how adrenal hormones work and recognising early signs of imbalance, you can take timely steps to support your health.

If you are considering hormone testing or a full health check, Metropolis Healthcare offers expert diagnostic services, reliable reports, and the ease of home sample collection—making your journey to clarity and care more comfortable.

FAQs

How big are the adrenal glands?

Your adrenal glands are quite small—each one is about 4 to 6 centimetres long and weighs around 4 to 5 grams. They sit on top of your kidneys and play a major role in hormone production and balance.

Can a person live without adrenal glands?

Yes, you can live without adrenal glands, but you’ll need lifelong hormone replacement therapy. These hormones help regulate vital functions, so if your glands are removed, medications must replace what they would normally produce to keep you healthy.

What is the main function of the adrenal gland?

The main function of the adrenal gland is to produce hormones like cortisol, aldosterone, and adrenaline. These hormones help regulate stress, metabolism, blood pressure, and fluid balance—keeping your body stable and able to respond to everyday challenges.

Which gland is called the master gland?

The pituitary gland is often called the master gland. It controls the activity of many other glands in your body by releasing key hormones, including those that tell your adrenal glands when to produce cortisol and other vital hormones.

What do adrenal glands secrete?

Adrenal glands secrete several important hormones including cortisol, aldosterone, adrenaline, noradrenaline, and small amounts of androgens. Each of these plays a specific role in helping your body manage stress, maintain energy levels, and regulate fluid and salt balance.